Under this year’s theme Bridges not Borders: Stories That Unite, the programme emphasises the need for collaboration through multiple dedicated sessions. Focussing on the Global South, "Exhibitors and Distributors: Who is Building and Furnishing a Home for Global South Content?" brings together Monde Twala (Paramount Africa), Laurent Sicouri (Canal +), Jeanne Deny (MAD Solutions), Reem Maged (Cimatheque Cairo/NAAS) and Nicky Scheepers (Ster Kinekor) to discuss the distribution of Global South content.  The "Latin American Visions" session, presented in partnership with DW Akademie, features Rodrigo Díaz Díaz (Taturana), Tzutzumatzin Soto (Documental Ambulante A.C.  Ambulante), Marcela Lizcano (Nodo Sur), and Lucia Suarez (Mullu TV) who will reflect on alternative models of film circulation beyond the box office. "Global South Activities and Initiatives Towards Archival Justice" offers industry organisations and individuals who are actively reclaiming archives protected time to talk through shared resources and set out strategies for continued archival justice work.

Continuing the DFM’s Industry Programme curatorial ethos of creating and integrating access within the film industry, critical representation issues are spotlighted through dedicated sessions on inclusion and diversity. "The Disabled Actors Database: Shining the Spotlight on our Talent" brings together Carlynn de Waal-Smit (South African Guild of Actors), Richard Lothian (Richard Lothian Casting), Simon Manda (DAWN) and Zonke Nyandeni (Richard Lothian Casting), to discuss expanding opportunities for disabled performers and creating more inclusive casting practices. "Power of Programming: Programming for Global Connection" features Nada Bakr (Network of Arab Alternative Screens), Salym Fayad (MUICA African Film Festival), Adel Ksiksi (Al Jazeera, Tzutzumatzin Soto (Documental Ambulante A.C)  and Moustapha Sawadogo (FESPACO), examining how programming choices can bridge cultural divides and create meaningful global connections. These sessions underscore the industry's commitment to ensuring diverse voices are heard and represented both on screen and behind the camera.

International perspectives feature prominently through dedicated coproduction sessions, bringing industry experts and practitioners from the continent and beyond to explore collaborative opportunities across borders.  International-focused sessions include coproduction discussions with Senegal, Zimbabwe and the Netherlands.  In addition, projects in development from the Palestine Film Institute and Thutuka Fund (partnership between the National Film and Video Foundation and the Netherlands Film Fund) will feature in the programme.

A key mainstay of the industry programme, the "Durban Does Docs" stream addresses ethical collaborations in documentary film practice with Lucía Galarza Suárez (Mullu TV), Thandi Davids (Storyscope), Dhia Jerbi (Archive Circulation Initiative) and Ibrahim Ahmed (In Deep Visions). This programming strand examines impact-driven distribution featuring Claire Diao (Sudu Connexion), Theresa Hill (STEPS), Jeanne Deny (MAD Solutions) and Sam Soko (LBx Africa), while also addressing filmmaker wellbeing through discussions with Hanna Attallah (FilmLab Palestine), Mohamed Jabaly (Palestine Film Institute), Kethiwe Ngcobo (IBFC - Izimbali Wellness Programme), and Sam Soko (LBx Africa), recognising the personal toll of documentary work and the importance of mental health sustainability.

In the session "Understanding the Current Film Media Landscape," panellists Ahmed Shawky (FIPRESCI), Jennifer Ochieng (Sinema Focus) and Domoina Ratsara (FIPRESCI) will examine how media coverage shapes film industry narratives.

Complementing the creative discussions, the programme includes the "Talking Cents" series which addresses the business fundamentals driving African cinema. These sessions explore various financing models, funding mechanisms, and economic strategies that filmmakers need to navigate in today's evolving marketplace and provide practical insights into the financial realities of sustainable film production and distribution across the continent. Some organisations who will feature in these discussions include Red Sea Film Fund, Documentary Africa, Sundance Institute, Ford Foundation, IDFA Bertha Fund, Known Associates Group, Big Sister Productions, ARRAY, Black Mic Mac and Next Narrative Africa.

In the keynote session series, audiences have an opportunity to engage with acclaimed filmmakers who have shaped contemporary cinema; Dora Bouchoucha, Ramadan Suleman and Roger Ross Williams.

The Durban FilmMart industry programme runs from 18-21 July 2025 at the Elangeni Hotel, Durban. Accreditation is required for all industry programme events and access to the Attendee Hub.

The Durban FilmMart Institute receives its principal funding from the Durban Film Office and eThekwini Municipality. The success of the annual Durban FilmMart is made possible through the generous support of various organisations and entities. Funders, sponsors and exhibitors include the Ford Foundation, Netflix, Afreximbank, National Film and Video Foundation, NEFTi, Industrial Development Corporation, MTN Group Digital, French Institute of South Africa, IEFTA, KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, Independent Media Producers Association of Creative Talent (I.M.P.A.CT), Panavision, Panalux, Namibia Film Commission, Palestine Film Institute,  Network of Arab Alternative Screens Cine Connect, Film and Publication Board, Directors Guild of South Africa[MB1] , Eastern Cape Development Corporation, Côte d'Ivoire (Cultural Office), Downtown Music Africa, Next Narrative Africa Fund, GIZ, Sunshine Cinema, Wesgro, Independent Producers Organisation, Wrapped, Canal + University, Bertha Foundation, Gauteng Film Commission, Film Cape Town, CNN Collection

Additionally, the event benefits from partnerships with esteemed organisations and festivals. The programme partners include the Durban International Film Festival, African Reel Collective, Animation SA, Berlinale Talents, Cape Town International Animation Film Festival, Dante Languages, Digital Lab Africa, Directors Guild of South Africa, Doc Society, Documentary Filmmakers’ Association, Durban University of Technology, DW Akademie (supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Developments), Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, European Audio Visual Entrepreneurs, Fipresci, Hot Docs Blue Ice Fund, Independent Producers Organisation, Sisters Working in Film and Television, South African Guild of Actors, Tempo, The Climate Story Labs Africa, The Fak'ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival, The Independent Black Filmmakers Collective, The South African Guild of Editors, Writers Guild of South Africa

About Durban FilmMart: The Durban FilmMart is a key industry platform connecting African filmmakers with global opportunities, fostering collaboration, and driving the growth of African cinema on the world stage.