Three Nigerian projects have been selected for the 17th edition of the Durban FilmMart, Africa’s film finance and co-production market, scheduled to take place from Oct. 9 to 12 in Durban, South Africa.
C.J. Obasi’s animated series Juju Soccer, produced by Oge Obasi and Somto Ajuluchukwu, and Hadu: The Series, directed by Precious Anih and produced by Damilola Solesi, were selected in the animation category.
Also selected is The Boy Who Spoke Static, directed by The Agbajowo Collective and produced by Mathew Cerf, which will compete in the fiction features category.
The Nigerian entries are part of a wider lineup of 36 African projects selected across animation, fiction feature, documentary feature and series categories.
All selected projects will participate in the Pitch and Finance Forum alongside an industry programme focused on trends, innovation and challenges shaping the African film industry.
Ahead of the in-person presentations in Durban, participating filmmakers will receive online mentorship sessions with industry experts aimed at preparing the projects for potential collaborators and investors.
The selected animation projects will also receive additional support through the Digital Lab Africa programme, organised in partnership with Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct.
Magdalene Reddy, director of the Durban FilmMart Initiative, described the selection as a showcase of African storytelling and said the market continues to provide filmmakers with networking and industry access opportunities across the continent.
