Durban FilmMart 2023 winners revealed

African filmmakers received awards at the recently concluded Durban FilmMart in South Africa, with the four-day event based on the theme of African constellations.

The 14th edition took place from July 21 to 24 and featured more than 28 official projects, in addition to seven partner projects.

The winning projects included Showmax series Jua Kali, directed by Kenyan filmmaker Joash Omondi; eight-episode 2D animated series Boy Boi, produced by Shadrack Munene and director J Njogu Macharia; and movie Graft, produced by Zimbabwean filmmaker Sue-Ellen Chitunya.

Other winning projects included Coconut, directed by South African filmmaker Karabo Lediga, and documentary Beyond Fela, produced by Nigerian film director Aderonke Adeola.

The Hot Docs-Blue Ice Docs award of C$1,000 (US$745) was presented to Cameroonian documentary The Circuit, produced by Martinel Nemalieu and directed by Arice Siapi, while The Red Sea Development Grant of US$10,000 was presented to South African feature film Nomvelo & the Wolf, produced by Leanne Gail Kumalo and directed by Lindokuhle Langa.

The Sisters in Cinema Filmmakers Sustainability Award of US$2,500 was presented to South African documentary Eaglette – A Superstar Erased, produced by Thandi Davids and directed by Beverley Ditsie, while NFVF Best Non-Fiction was presented to Moroccan documentary Flying Like a Bird.

Magdalene Reddy, director of the Durban FilmMart Institute, said: “We are delighted to have hosted a diverse array of industry professionals from around the world for our in-person event, while also making select sessions available online.

“The outstanding calibre of the physical programme presentations and film projects once again underscored the exceptional talent present on our continent. We are hugely grateful to our partners from across the globe for helping DFM celebrate African storytellers, producers and content creators.”

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