Durban FilmMart Institute to include a Climate Focus

The Durban FilmMart (DFM), under this year’s theme “African Visions Unleashed: From Disruption to Accountability”, will take place in Durban from 19 – 22 July. Its Industry Programme for 2024 boasts a Climate Focus stream organised by the DFM in partnership with Doc Society – Climate Story Unit, Climate Story Lab South Africa, STEPS, and the Global Impact Producers Alliance (GIPA). Together the DFM hopes to inspire change, bringing filmmakers and activists together to share in impactful storytelling.

With leading film professionals and activists on board such as Anita Khanna (Uhuru Productions), Emily Wanja (Doc Society – Climate Story Unit) and Nasreen Al-Amin (Surge Africa and Climate Story Lab Lagos), this initiative stresses the DFM’s dedication to raising environmental and climate-related awareness, fostering a commitment to sustainable filmmaking practices and narratives.

DFM’s Climate Focus sessions will showcase the intersection of environmental advocacy and cinematic storytelling, encouraging filmmakers and activists to collaborate and inspire positive change. In a press statement, DFM extended its invitation to creatives to join the timely environmental discussions in Durban and to contribute towards a more sustainable and accountable future for African cinema.

Key Climate Focus Sessions:

1. Don’t Stop Talking About Climate Chaos! – A discussion on the role of creatives in addressing the climate crisis.
2. Impact Strategy in Action – Empowering impact producers with strategies for effective audience engagement.
3. Innovative Partnerships and Pathways to Reach Audiences – Drawing lessons from the HIV/AIDS pandemic to tackle climate change.
4. Impact Hackathon – A dynamic, interactive session for aspiring impact producers to network and collaborate.

More info and registration here.

Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry, where film professionals and content are globally competitive and celebrated. The institute’s mission is to provide appropriate and effective programmes and services to promote, support, and facilitate investment in the African film industry.