Locations Africa Expo and Conference at 10th Durban FilmMart

The Durban FilmMart, the continent’s leading film industry event, will host the inaugural Locations Africa Expo and Conference, an exciting and innovative new addition to this year’s 10th edition which takes place from 19 to 22 July during the 40th Durban International Film Festival (18 to 28 July) in South Africa.

Locations Africa, is a platform conceived in 2015 by Zesan Films and Events and Martin Cuff Consulting as a marketing tool with an aim to increase the number of films shot in Africa, and to develop an economy around filming locations on the continent by creating employment opportunities and exposing these locations to the rest of the world.

This first Expo and Conference at the DFM and DIFF will focus on re-igniting efforts to position Africa and key filming destinations as being “open for business” and where relevant, equipped with the various elements a filmmaker needs to consider before production. The Expo will showcase African filming locations, crew, various facilities and opportunities for co-producing, while the Conference will provide opportunities for filmmakers to unpack and discuss production and locations needs, opportunities and the possibilities that exist for filmmakers from within and without the continent.

“We are really delighted to welcome Locations Africa to the ever-growing industry offerings in our DFM programme, as we provide more opportunities for filmmakers to develop content, create films and drive a very lucrative economy around film,” says Toni Monty, Head of the DFM. “This is a perfect opportunity for really network the continent across borders and inter-continentally as well.”

The four-day Expo will include representation and exhibition showcases from national and regional film commissions, government departments including South Africa’s Arts and Culture, Tourism, Trade and Industry as well as private sector film studios, locations management companies, set designs, crew and talent agencies, production teams, equipment businesses, music, SFX and post-production services.

The Conference will run over four days, with two to three engagement sessions a day. Sessions are titled Where We Are – Setting The Scene which is an introduction to the concept of a Locations Africa event, focusing on why this segment of the film industry is important, Sell The Dream which will look into the realities Locations Africa faces when promoting locations and services to international producers, Getting Involved, which will unpack training and awareness for new entrants into servicing and facilities management and Africa is Ready, which showcases through case studies, just how ready the industry is.

“Locations Africa has been over 4 years in the making with research from across the continent on the practicalities of physical production to ensure that our information through this expo, conference and web portal are as relevant and practical as possible,” says Azania Muendane, Director of Locations Africa. “Africa is ready for business and we believe that through Locations Africa, this will grow. We are very excited to be in partnership with the DIFF and the DFM, as this is the perfect setting to introduce a focused engagement of physical production, Locations and facilities on our continent. We encourage more inter-country productions and inbound international productions to interface with us at Locations Africa online or at the expo for their location shoot needs.”

Locations Africa will take place at the Tsogo Sun, Elangeni Hotel in Durban from July 19 to 22, and is open to all Durban FilmMart delegates. To register go to www.durbanfilmmart.co.za.

For more information on Locations Africa visit www.locationsafrica.com or email them at info@locationsafrica.com

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