Durban FilmMart Institute Unveils Animation@DFM 2024 Program

The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has unveiled the program for its Animation@DFM strand, taking place during the 2024 market between July 19 and 22.

Animation@DFM will showcase eight animation projects in the DFM Pitch and Finance Forum. It will also feature numerous panels and talks that will highlight the growth and dynamism within the African animation industry, addressing social impact, forging partnerships and cultural authenticity.

During the Pitch and Finance Forum, eight projects will be showcased and filmmakers will be able to engage in one-on-one meetings with investors. The initiative aims to expand the reach of African animation.

Among the sessions planned is Animation for Social Change: Addressing Societal Issues through African Animated Content, with speakers Ng’endo Mukii and Tsepo Moche exploring how animated content can address societal issues, raise awareness and contribute to positive change across Africa.

The panel discussion Building Sustainable Animation Ecosystems will highlight how partnerships across countries and regions can support the growth of the animation sector throughout the content, addressing both challenges and opportunities. The panelists will be Laza Razanajatovo, Nosipho Maketo-van Den Bragt and Hamid Ibrahim.

Cultural Authenticity in African Animation: Navigating the Balance Between Tradition and Animation, meanwhile, will explore the challenges and successes in maintaining cultural authenticity and drawing inspiration from traditional stories, folklore and art while pushing the boundaries of animation and infusing work with modern innovation. Deidre Jantjies, Dianne Makings, Terrence Maluleke and Betty-Sulty Johnson will take part in the discussion.

The wider market will address animation through a series of panels with partner organizations. In collaboration with Fak’ugesi, Africa’s digital and innovation festival, the DFM Industry program will highlight virtual productions in the session Unlocking the Future of Filmmaking: Integrating Virtual Production into Traditional Production Pipelines. The KZN Film Commission, meanwhile, will be unveiling its comprehensive strategy for the growth of KwaZulu-Natal’s animation film sector

Registration for the market is now open on the Durban FilmMart website.

“The 2024 edition of DFM underscores the immense talent and creative energy within the African animation community,” said Magdalene Reddy, director of the Durban FilmMart Institute. “With Animation@DFM, we are not just celebrating the artistic achievements of African animators but also fostering essential dialogues around sustainability, cultural authenticity and social impact. All panels across the industry program related to animation provide an additional platform for collaboration, networking and presenting powerful narratives that African animation brings to film enthusiasts globally.”