The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has officially opened the application window for animation projects in development, in anticipation of the 17th edition of the Durban FilmMart (DFM). This initiative solidifies DFM’s commitment to nurturing and propelling the African animation sector onto the global stage.
Scheduled to take place in Durban, South Africa, from July 17-20, 2026, the DFM will feature its esteemed Pitch and Finance Forum.
Approximately eight officially selected animation projects will be granted the opportunity to participate in this forum, allowing their representatives to pitch directly to a panel of influential film professionals.
This panel typically includes potential co-producers, broadcasters, film funds, and distributors—crucial players in securing a project’s future.
DFMI Director Magdalene Reddy emphasizes the strategic importance of this focus.
“Partnerships with and for animation on the continent are imperative to move animation forward,” she states. By fully integrating animation into its programming, DFM aims to create the necessary collaborations for content grown in Africa. The platform’s core goal is to shift the animation community’s focus toward the business of filmmaking, thereby strengthening the competitive position of African animators in the international market.
As the continent’s leading co-production and film finance market, DFM has a successful track record, having presented 31 animation projects from 11 African countries to investors and industry experts over the past four years.
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