Durban Film Market Film Screenings
Vol 1 & 2
Twenty Films. Eight countries.
The Elangeni, Room 5
Cape Town International Animation Festival presents African Roots at the Durban Film Market
African Roots is a Pan-African and African diaspora collection of animated short films celebrating the breadth, creativity and imagination of African storytelling.
Public film screenings are primarily hosted by the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) rather than the Durban FilmMart (DFM), which functions strictly as a finance, co-production, and industry market.
Table of Contents
Where the Industry Meets to Rethink the Future
The 17th edition of the Durban FilmMart is the space for these conversations. Discussions highlighting alternative film funding pathways, revised models for distribution, and equitable co-production frameworks will help shift the industry’s direction. DFM supports African and the diaspora film professionals to convene to do business, build relationships, exchange ideas, and shape the future of filmmaking. Relationships forged at the DFM seed the future of independent film and television from Africa and beyond.
Durban FilmMart vs. Film Screenings
- Durban FilmMart (DFM): Focuses on pitch forums, finance meetings, industry masterclasses, and networking rather than public movie screenings. The 17th edition runs from October 9–12, 2026, at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotels in Durban.
- Durban International Film Festival (DIFF): Serves as the main public platform for public film premieres, independent features, documentaries, and short films. The 47th annual DIFF took place from July 23 to August 2, 2026, with tickets available via platforms like the Suncoast CineCentre.
Across these two collections, viewers can enjoy a vibrant mix of stories, perspectives and animation styles. From intimate explorations of love, identity and self-discovery to bold adventures, myth, music, humour and fantastical worlds. Expect colourful characters, big ideas, unexpected journeys and stories that explore what connects us.
This curated showcase celebrates the profound depth, vibrant diversity, and unstoppable evolution of African and diaspora storytelling. Spanning traditional hand-drawn 2D, intricate stop-motion, rare pinscreen experimentation, and cutting-edge 3D/CGI hybrids, this collection bridges continental heritage with global perspectives.
Through these diverse voices, we witness the power of animation to heal, inspire, and transcend boundaries.
We welcome you to enjoy these amazing stories with us .
Screenings take place on 10th and 11th October at The Elangeni Room 5 .
Saturday Vol 1 – 13:00
Sunday Vol 2 – 13:00
Creating the Space to Do the Work, As One
In these uncertain times, DFM creates a space for centring global perspectives united around a shared commitment to fund, finance, and co-produce leading audiovisual content. This work requires more than good intentions and can only happen together. Every breakthrough in one co-production becomes a template for others. Every successful negotiation for fair terms raises the standard for us all.
Register here:
https://us.list-manage.com/5AghrqgiFHB?e=1d3e7f1525&c2id=2ed7532a48adf9e7a90a5075cda3beef
DFM Programme:
https://us.list-manage.com/riPBfE4L3zY?e=1d3e7f1525&c2id=2ed7532a48adf9e7a90a5075cda3beef
Creating Space for Industry Connection, Market Access and Creative Partnerships
A truly Pan-African and Global South meeting place, DFM connects filmmakers, producers, funders, distributors, broadcasters, sales agents, festival organisers and creative partners.
As the world shifts, Durban FilmMart creates space for the conversations, connections and collaborations to gather force and move African and Global South audiovisual content forward.
The Full DFM 2026 Experience
What’s Included
Attendee Hub: Access to industry representatives
Industry Programme: Panel discussions and masterclasses by industry experts
Pitch and Finance Forum: Connect with the official projects pitching in the market
Business Meetings: Opportunity to connect in a B2B setting with film professionals attending the market (meetings to be set up by the delegate)
Exhibition and Networking: Explore partners who want to connect with the industry
Source and References
Also read: Film project funding call now open
