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: https://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.