RED SEA FUND ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH DURBAN FILMMART INSTITUTE, AWARDS THREE PRIZES AT DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Red Sea Fund announces a significant partnership with the Durban FilmMart Institute, a non-profit company that facilitates local and international trade and investment in African film content. The fourteenth Durban FilmMart, titled “African Constellation”, which took place during the Durban International Film Festival, saw the Red Sea Fund present three major awards and participate in several industry panels. Furthermore, “The Mother of All Lies”, a film funded by the Red Sea Fund and directed by Asmae el Moudir, won best documentary at the Durban International Film Festival.

Emad Eskandar, head of the Red Sea Fund, participated in three panels as part of the Industry Program of the FilmMart, including the “DFM Pitch and Finance Forum: Documentary Pitch” and the “DFM Pitch and Finance Forum: Fiction Pitch”. These sessions gave African filmmakers the opportunity to pitch their projects to co-producers, sales agents, broadcasters, and film funds. Emad Eskander also participated in a session titled "Talking Cents: Beyond Funds - Navigating the Funding Power Dynamics", talking about how the funding space needs to adapt to the expanding industry. In addition, Kaleem Aftab, Red Sea International Program Manager, joined The Power of Diversity industry panel, discussing the importance of diversity and programming in the development of the industry.

The Red Sea Fund presented two development grants and one post-production grant at the Durban International Film Festival. The development grants to the value of $10,000 each were awarded to “Nomvelo and the Wolf”, directed by Lindokuhle Langa and produced by Leanne Gail Kumalo, and “Wildfire”, directed by Zahra Moloo and produced by Seregeo Kirby and Laura Colucci. The post-production grant of $20,000 was awarded to “In My Father’s House”, directed by Rachida El Garani and produced by Merieme Addou. 

Emad Eskander, head of the Red Sea Fund, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Durban FilmMart Institute and are immensely proud of the work we are doing together to foster diverse voices in filmmaking and support African filmmakers. Kaleem and I were both surprised , by the quality of filmmakers and their pitches , and  honoured to participate in several panels at the Durban International Film Festival and present these well-deserved grants to support new African voices in film.”

The Red Sea Fund is set to have a long-term partnership with the Durban FilmMart Institute, working in tandem to foster new talent, develop diverse voices and support Arab and African filmmakers.