DURBAN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Filmmakers from different African countries will take part in the virtual film festival on Sept 4-13 to share experiences and ideas, announced organizers Durban FilmMart (DFM).
DFM said the festival will focus on current filmmaking development, distribution and marketing trends with a Pan-African focus.
"We are bringing together leading and emerging African film professionals in an online space, to benchmark themselves, learn from peers, pitch their ideas and projects and network and collectively demonstrate our courage to tell our own stories," said head of the DFM Toni Monty.
He said the participants will discuss social, economic and political landscapes that filmmakers are required to navigate around representation and authenticity in the content created within Africa. Financiers, funders, investors and programmers will take this chance to fully explore 70 African projects in development.
Monty said, "These are African filmmakers whose stories challenge oppressive structures, engage with dominant value systems and reflect our daily experiences."
The chairperson of the Durban FilmMart Institute board Mandisa Zitha said, "Going online has enabled us to extend our reach and include more filmmakers than ever before. The disruption of our world by the COVID-19 virus has led to innovation, as well as demonstrated the ever-increasing need for the creation of content."
She said the virtual space will give filmmakers an opportunity to network, connect with other filmmakers and industry professionals which would result in a positive stimulus for the industry's economy on the continent. Enditem
