As African filmmakers continue to develop stories from across the continent, access to funding and representation remains an important part of getting those stories seen.
Durban, South Africa (13 October 2026) – Getting a film made takes more than a good idea. Behind every story are creatives who need funding, industry support and opportunities to get their work in front of audiences, and those doors can be difficult to open.
That’s what makes the recognition of African filmmakers at this year’s Durban FilmMart particularly meaningful, with 39 awards worth more than R2 million presented to filmmakers and industry professionals.
The awards offered more than a financial boost. Alongside cash grants, recipients received mentorship, distribution support and opportunities to participate in international film markets and festivals. These are resources that can help promising projects move closer to reaching the screen.
The 17th edition of Durban FilmMart took place from 9 to 12 October under the theme Shifting Worlds: Turning Towards Ourselves. It brought together 1,131 filmmakers and industry professionals from 56 countries for conversations, networking and collaboration around the future of African cinema.
Among the recognised projects were Nigeria’s The Boy Who Spoke Static, which received the National Film and Video Foundation’s Best Fiction award, Kenya’s The Ones with the Tempered Flowers, named Best Non-fiction, and Ethiopia’s Sunday Morning, which received the Best Animation grant. South Africa’s Daddies also received the Inkaba Award.
While the winning projects came from different countries and filmmaking backgrounds, the support highlights a shared need across the industry: giving storytellers the resources and platforms to develop their ideas, build sustainable careers and connect with wider audiences.
Durban FilmMart Institute director Magdalene Reddy said the event had created space for honest conversations about funding, fair co-productions and meaningful partnerships, while helping filmmakers build connections that could extend beyond the four-day gathering.
For an industry where bringing a project to life can depend on finding the right financial backing and professional opportunities, that kind of support can make a tangible difference. It is also a reminder that recognising filmmakers means more than applauding their finished work. And it means helping create the conditions for more stories to be made, shared and heard.
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