In anticipation of the 17th edition of the Durban FilmMart, the Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has officially opened its call for animation projects currently in development. According to a statement from the institute, around eight selected projects will be invited to showcase their work at the Durban FilmMart (DFM) Pitch and Finance Forum. Representatives from these projects will have the unique opportunity to present their ideas to a panel of film industry professionals, including potential co-producers, broadcasters, film funds, and distributors, all gathering in Durban, South Africa, from July 17-20, 2026.
Magdalene Reddy, Director of the DFMI, emphasised the importance of collaboration in the animation sector across the continent: “Partnerships with and for animation on the continent are essential to advance the field.” She added that DFM has made a concerted effort to incorporate animation into its programming, allowing producers to build the vital collaborations necessary to enhance content creation in Africa. The platform aims to help the animation community focus on the business side of filmmaking, thus elevating the status of animators in the global market.
As the continent’s foremost co-production and film finance market, DFM has successfully showcased 31 animation projects from 11 African nations to industry professionals and investors over the last four years.
For the upcoming edition, animators from across the continent and its diaspora are invited to submit their projects. At least one of the key creatives involved (producer, writer, or director) must be from Africa or African descent, with an African passport. The Pitch and Finance Forum welcomes submissions for both series and feature-length projects. Applications will close on October 31, 2025.
Selected project participants will gain access to a comprehensive mentorship program designed to prepare them for their live pitch and meetings at DFM 2026. The online mentorship program, set for January and February 2026, will feature a series of masterclasses led by prominent African and global industry experts. Each selected project will have one representative awarded travel and accommodation to attend the Pitch and Finance Forum in person in July 2026, in Durban, South Africa.
