The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) announces the project selection for the annual DFM Pitch and Finance Forum 2026.
Thirty-six African film projects have been selected for the 17th Durban FilmMart Africa’s leading film finance and co-production market that will now take place from 9 to 12 October, in Durban, South Africa.
The market will present an array of projects, including 8 animation, 10 fiction features, 10 documentary features and 7 series projects in development at the Pitch and Finance Forum alongside a robust industry programme which will focus on current trends, innovations, and challenges faced by the industry.
“Our stories are our voices; they represent our culture, our history, our joy, our pain and our victories. DFM is honoured to present a unique selection of African stories that will add to the successes that have gone before,” says Magdalene Reddy, DFMI director. “We look forward to following the journey of these projects for years to come, as we do with all our project alumni. The DFM provides an important platform, not only to showcase the creative work of filmmakers but also to support them in building a cross-continental community, creating networks and access
The 36 selected projects will be given the opportunity to prepare for their participation at DFM with online one-on-one mentorship by leading industry experts to ensure that they are collaborator- and investor-ready when they get to Durban for the in-person pitch.
The 8 animation projects will receive additional support from industry experts through participation in the Digital Lab Africa (DLA) programme presented by DFM partner, Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct.
The 2026 DFM Official Projects:
Animated Series – Fiction
- Beast Seeker
Producer: Danielle Retief
Director: Robyn Viljoen
South Africa - capoZOOeira
Producers: Mary Waweru Wanjiku, Carlos Zerpa Bravo
Director: Orlymar Paredes
Kenya, Brazil - Hadu: The Series
Producer: Damilola Solesi
Director: Precious Anih
Nigeria - JUJU SOCCER
Producers: Oge Obasi, Somto Ajuluchukwu
Director: C.J. Obasi
Nigeria - Nerve
Producer: Raffaella Delle Donne, coproducer: Renee Van Reenen
Director: Tshepo Moche
South Africa - Sunday Morning
Producer: Nahom Abiy
Director: Minasie Terefe
Ethiopia
Animated Short – Fiction
- In Her Hands
Producer: Gehad El Akhal
Director: Hagar Basiony
Egypt
Animated – Feature length fiction
- MIDNIGHT METRO
Producer: Wako Sefara
Director: Lesego Vorster
South Africa
Fiction Features
- A touch of Paradise
Producer: Sarra Ben Hassen
Director: Houcem Slouli
Tunisia - Arbaa Shuhuor wu Ashara Ayam (Four Months and Ten Days)
Producer: Alsamoual Hussein
Director: Alyaa Musa
Sudan - Fairway to Freedom
Producer: Tarina Patel
Director: Jahmil Qubeka
South Africa - HOLY COW (selected at El Gouna 2025 through partnership)
Producer and Director: Asmae el Moudir
Morocco - MIETA
Producer: Neil Brandt
Director: Carla Fonseca Mokgata
South Africa - MOTHER THERESA
Producer: Shema Faustin
Director: Mutiganda wa Nkunda
Rwanda - Taht El Sama El Khadra’ (Under Green Skies)
Producer: Yara Goubran
Director: Jad Chahine
Egypt - The Boy Who Spoke Static
Producer: Mathew Cerf
Director: The Agbajowo Collective
Nigeria - Vino Amargo (Bitter Wine)
Producer: David Franciscus
Director: Pablo Pinedo Bóveda
South Africa - Waslap (selected through DFM ACCESS)
Producer and Director: Batandwa Alperstein
South Africa
Fiction Series
- AGAIN
Producer: Giresse Kassonga
Director: Erickey Bahati
Democratic Republic of the Congo - Daddies
Producer: Cati Weinek
Director: Sean Mongie
South Africa - Fafi
Producer and Director: Dominique Jossie
South Africa - FISI (HYENA)
Producer: Mkamzee Mwatela
Director: Sanele Zulu
Kenya - Smoke & Mirrors
Producer: Luke Rous
Director: Jozua Malherbe
South Africa - The Coven (selected through DFM ACCESS)
Producer and Director: Sihle Mthembu
South Africa
Documentary Series
- Children of the Nile
Producer and Director: Tina Obo
Uganda
Documentary Features
- Banat aljazira alkhadra’ (GREEN ISLAND’S GIRLS)
Producer: Amrosh Badr
Director: Rogena Tarek
Egypt - DESIGNING DIVIDE (selected at Talents Durban 2025)
Producer and Director: Jessie Ayles
South Africa - Gwijo Nation
Producer: Quinton Fredericks
Director: Sesihle Manzini
South Africa - LE FIL ET LE MUR (THE THREAD AND THE WALL)
Producer and Director: Mouni Boullam
Algeria, France - MA NUIT DU DJOMELE (My Djomele Night)
Producer: Hicham Falah
Director: Barkima Nafissatou Laguempedo
Burkina Faso - Majuto si Mjukuu (Heirs of no Regret)
Producer: Mumo Liku
Director: Saitabao Kaiyare
Kenya - MDANTSANE – HOME OF BOXING (selected through DFM ACCESS)
Producer and Director: Phumlani Veto
South Africa - The Ones With The Tempered Flowers
Producer: Ivy Kiru
Director: Neema Ngelime
Tanzania - Urban Zulu: The Busi Mhlongo Story
Producer: Struan Douglas, coproducer: Vusi Mchunu
Director: Rehad Desai|
South Africa - Waiting for Evolution
Producer and director: Karin Slater
South Africa - WHERE DO I BELONG?
Producer: Talal Afifi
Director: Ibrahim “Snoopy” Ahmed
Sudan
More information on this year’s theme can be found on the Durban FilmMart Institute’s website, durbanfilmmart.co.za
Delegate registration and programme details will be announced in due course.
The 17th edition Durban FilmMart is funded by the Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, Ford Foundation, the National Film and Video Foundation and IEFTF.
About Durban FilmMart Institute
Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry in a world where African professionals and content are globally competitive and celebrated. The mission of the Durban FilmMart Institute is to provide appropriate and effective programmes and services to promote, support and facilitate investment in the African film industry. The Durban FilmMart Institute runs year-round developmental programmes and an annual market (Durban FilmMart). The DFMI is the custodian of Filmmart.Africa which is an online tool for filmmakers to connect and which we hope will enhance visibility for African content.
