DFMI Business Lab is a 18-week online business skills development programme aimed at nurturing and empowering producers with the necessary skills to effectively engage in a global market. The programme is presented in partnership with DW Akademie supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The programme focuses on topics such as Business Management; Coproduction; Equitable Coproduction; Distribution; Financial Management; Fundraising; IP and Entertainment Law; PR and Marketing led by industry experts from across Africa and the world.
“Business acumen is an important skill set required from a producer. We have found that amongst the training programmes in Africa, upskilling in the area of business development needs more focus therefore DFMI is pleased to present the 5th edition of the Business Lab programme,” says Magdalene Reddy, director of the Durban FilmMart Institute. “Over the past 4 years there have been 125 producers who have gained necessary skills to strengthen their production companies and grow the film eco-system on the continent. We look forward to welcoming the new cohort.”
The DFMI invites producers with African passports who have produced films and have less than 5 years’ experience as producers in the industry. Directors, line producers, script writers and those from other departments who are interested in the programme will need to provide a 1-page letter of motivation for consideration to participate.
“Starting out in the film industry without the proper business knowledge can be really frustrating” says DFMI Business Lab alumna, Hayat Alijowaily “having all these creative ideas and ambitions and not knowing where to start to make them come to life, sustainably. Participating in the DFMI Business Lab gave me the confidence boost I needed to feel like I could crack that code.”
If you are an African film industry professional based outside of Africa, you will have to advise what percentage of your work is based in the continent.
Kindly note that acceptance into the programme will not be based on a specific film project. (You do not need an active film project to participate in the programme).
Selected participants will need to avail themselves for two 90-minute zoom sessions per week from August – January 2026.
Specific dates will be communicated to selected participants upon confirmation of selection.
Eligibility:
- African passport holders with less than 5 years’ producing experience
- Other film professionals may apply with a 1-page motivation
- No active film project required
- Sessions run August to January 2026 (2 x 90-minute Zoom sessions weekly)
French and Portuguese interpretation available
Deadline: Friday, 20 June 2025
Apply here: durbanfilmmart.co.za/dfmi-business-lab-application-information
