By Iminza Keboge
Published February 1, 2024
South Africa-based Durban FilmMart Institute in partnership with Produire au Sud, Nantes and French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) invites projects for the 13th edition Jumpstart incubator programme that introduces emerging African filmmakers to writing and packaging.
Focusing on project packaging for the international market, filmmakers are introduced to key techniques and tools for scriptwriting and storytelling processes. Projects are guided by script consultants from South Africa and France.
The programme includes the main workshop scheduled for July 19-22, 2024 during the 15th annual Durban FilmMart, with online follow-up sessions in November 2024 and February 2025.
RELATED: Bringing Kenyan Sounds to Twende Animated Series
“The partnership with Produire au Sud is one of DFMI’s most long- standing partnerships and one that is ever evolving to suit the needs of filmmakers, says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute. “The programme creates a space for African writers and directors to gain exposure to French producers and industry.”
“The collaboration between Durban FilmMart and Produire au Sud is 12 years old and we are very happy to have been able to accompany so many emergent Africans directors and producers with their projects in development during all those years.” said Lucas Taillefer, Coordinator of Produire au Sud. “During this time, the Jumpstart programme went through many stages, and it has great potential to be further developed in the future. The cooperation between Durban and Nantes ensures not only Produire au Sud coming to South Africa, but also the other way around. Indeed, each year, a project of DFM is invited to come to Nantes during the PAS workshop in the framework of the Festival des 3 Continents late November. This fruitful collaboration is made possible thanks to the help of the Institut Français in South Africa.”
RELATED: How African Entertainment Drives Socio-Cultural and Economic Progress
What are the application criteria?
- Projects in which the producer, director or writer is an African citizen. Proof of African citizenship must be provided through a certified copy of a valid African passport or identification document. (Africans living in the Diaspora must have African citizenship – proof of passport)
- Projects with a producer and director attached
- Projects must have a first draft script available
- Live action fiction features in development only.
The deadline for applications, which are to be made through the Durban FilmMart Institute website, is February 28, 2024.
RELATED: How Safe is Voice Banking?
