Brandt, Verster at Durban FilmMart 2012
For this weekend only, producer Neil Brandt and director Francois Verster will return to the Durban FilmMart with their documentary film project, The Dream of Shahrazad, for the second time. The 3rd edition of Durban FilmMart, which takes place from 20-23 July 2012, was created as a joint programme of the Durban Film Office and the Durban International Film Festival.
The documentary project was part of the official selection at the inaugural Durban FilmMart in 2010, having recently won the Best Doc in Progress Award at the Sunny Side of the Docs Film Festival in France last month. The Durban FilmMart assisted the duo in meeting and collaborating with a French co-producer for the film, which unlocked the opportunity to their attendance at the documentary film festival, said Brandt. The award was a boost for the film and reaffirmed the confidence of their work and interest in African Cinema, added Verster.
Brandt has two documentary projects selected in the line-up for Durban Film Mart 2012; Devil's Lair directed by Riaan Hendricks and Gold Dust directed by Odette Geldenhuys. Documentary project Soweto Messiah directed by Verster and produced by Mike Auret is also part of the selection of films.
Their return to the Durban FilmMart is a testament of their eagerness to promote their work to the best possible audience, said Brandt. "The Durban Film Mart is a highly focused and professional networking environment, and with many local and international broadcasters, funders and distributors present, it's the perfect environment for films to find partners."
Durban Film Office head, Toni Monty said that coproduction and finance film market was serving the needs of filmmakers from around the African continent. "This is what the Durban FilmMart is about-identifying the potential and talent of African filmmakers and giving them a platform to make their projects a reality and success."
For more, go to www.durbanfilmmart.com.
