The DFMI Business Lab is designed to equip participants with business and market-ready skills needed in navigating the global film market.
By Vivian Nneka Nwajiaku
The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has officially opened applications for the fifth edition of its flagship DFMI Business Lab, an intensive 18-week online business skills development programme targeted at emerging African producers in the film industry.
Presented in partnership with German DW Akademie—the education and media development centre of Germany’s international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle—and supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the DFMI Business Lab is designed to equip participants with business and market-ready skills needed in navigating the global film market.
“Business acumen is an important skill set required from a producer. We have found that amongst the training programmes in Africa, upskilling in the area of business development needs more focus”, says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute. “Over the past four years, 125 producers have gained necessary skills to strengthen their production companies and grow the film eco-system on the continent. We look forward to welcoming the new cohort”.
Emphasising the importance of the programme, Hayat Alijowaily, a DFMI Business Lab alumna notes, “Starting out in the film industry without the proper business knowledge can be really frustrating. Having all these creative ideas and ambitions and not knowing where to start to make them come to life, sustainably. Participating in the DFMI Business Lab gave me the confidence boost I needed to feel like I could crack that code”.
Covering core areas such as business management, co-production, equitable co-production, distribution, fundraising, financial management, IP and entertainment law, as well as PR and marketing, led by industry experts from Africa and beyond, the programme consists of two 90-minute Zoom sessions per week, running from August 2025 to January 2026, with simultaneous interpretation available in French and Portuguese where required.
Eligible applicants must be African passport holders with less than five years of producing experience. Participants are not required to have an active film project to be considered but must have previously produced films.
Film professionals from other disciplines, including directors, line producers, and scriptwriters, may also apply, provided they submit a one-page letter of motivation for consideration. Also, applicants based outside Africa must indicate the percentage of their work that is based in the continent.
Applications close on Friday, 20th June, 2025 at 11:59pm CAT. Applications are to be made via the DFM website, while queries and requests for further information should be sent to the DFM email.