Ben Mahaka project selected to pitch at Durban Film Mart Finance Forum

Zimbabwean filmmaker Ben Mahaka’s Sunflowers in the Dark project has been announced among the 2019 fiction feature films and documentaries projects from Africa, that have selected to pitch at the Finance Forum at this major film industry event.

A total of 20 projects (10 documentaries and 10 feature films) were selected out of 140 submissions from around the continent. Mahaka’s project with Tapiwa Chipfupa is under fiction feature films

Countries represented in the official selection include South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Congo and Burkina Faso. Directors and producers of these film projects, which are in development, will be mentored for two days during Durban FilmMart, and then given opportunities to pitch to panels of investors, broadcasters, financiers, agents and distributors, as well as take one-on-one meetings with them.

This project in development programme is part of the overall aim of the DFM to increase awareness of African cinema, encourage collaborations amongst African filmmakers and stimulate the growth of the industry. Toni Monty, Head of the Durban Film Office, the industry unit of the eThekwini Municipality, and head of the DFM says, “We believe that this forum within the DFM, is one of the most exciting film industry programmes to have been established on the continent to help support films get off the ground. It is from here that the idea on the page is able to begin its complex journey to completion and exhibition.”

“The selectors were very encouraged by the content, themes and subject matter, that came through in this year’s selection portraying some complex and unique African stories that provide intimate insights into the continents consciousness.”

The Durban FilmMart celebrates its 10^th edition this year from 19 to 22 July, during the 40^th Durban International Film Festival.

Durban FilmMart 2019 Official Project Selection

Fiction Selection

Day of the Vow, (South Africa) – Producers: David Franciscus, Nicki Priem, Director: David Franciscus
Mami Wata (Nigeria) – Producer: Oge Obasi, Director: C.J. Obasi
Mkhulu Wase Next Door (South Africa) – Producers: Bongiwe Selane, Brendan Campbell, Director: Xolelwa Nhlabatsi,
Pieces of Salma (South Africa) – Producers: Khosie Dali, David Horler, Director: Imran Hamdulay
Sunflowers in the Dark (Zimbabwe) – Producer: Ben Mahaka, Tapiwa Chipfupa, Director: Tapiwa Chipfupa,
The Bursary (South Africa) – Producer: Brett Michael Innes, Director: Nomawonga Khumalo
The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos (Nigeria/South Africa) – Producers: James Tayler, Megan Chapman, Andrew Maki, Mat Cerf, Joel Bolnick, Director: Know Your City Radical Co-creative Film Collective
Those Who Dwell in Darkness (South Africa) – Producers: Dolly Mhlongo, Sithabile Mkhize, Director: Michael James
Tunis-Djerba (Tunisia) – Producer: Asma Chiboub, Director: Amel Guellaty
Yam and I (Egypt) – Producers: Hala Lotfy, Ruba Atiyeh, Nadine Salib, Director: Nadine Salib

Documentary Selection:

Africa Mother (Burkina Faso) – Producer: Koussoubé Abdoul Karim, Director: Yssouf Koussé
A Suitcase of Memories (South Africa) – Producer: Zinzi Nkenene Directors: Zinzi Nkenene, Engelbert Phiri,
Black Women and Sex (South Africa) – Producer: Godisamang Khunou, Director: Godisamang Khunou
Kongo is Burning (Uganda / Congo) – Producer: Ali Musoke, Director: Arnold Aganze
Living like a Shadow (Rwanda) – Producer: Romeo Umulisa, Director: Claudine Ndimbira
Murder in Paris – Dulcie September (South Africa) – Producer: Liezel Vermeulen, Director: Enver Samuel
Girlheart (Tunisia) – Producers: Salem Trabelsi, Latifa Doghri Directors: Latifa Doghri , Salem Trabelsi
The Home (South Africa) – Producers Justin Cohen, Jessie Zinn,and Chase Musslewhite, Directors: Jessie Zinn, Chase Musslewhite
The Last Survivor (Egypt) – Producer: Mark Lotfy, Director: Muhammad Taymour
The Missing Middle (South Africa) – Producer: Nomakhomazi Dewavrin, Director: Okuhle Dyosopu