Funder Support, Audience Loyalty & Visionary Curation Behind the Success of the 45th Durban International Film Festival

The 45th Durban International Film Festival drew to a close on 28 July 2024. Thousands of audience members and dozens of filmmakers ensured ten days of screenings, workshops, panel discussions, and networking were well attended. Each person left the festival feeling a little more inspired and a great deal more enriched. Aside from the prizes announced by the jurors, LUTHER: NEVER TOO MUCH has won the Audience Choice Award. None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of funders and a range of partners who walk this journey with the festival.

“Funding is a collaborative relationship, and our funders give us more than funds. They assist us in the growth and reach of the festival. International funders assist us in broadening the audience’s world”, says Andrea Voges, Festival Manager & Head of Programming.

The combined effort of local and global partnerships is greater than the sum of the parts. It is thanks to partnership with the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) and the Mostra de Cinemas Africanos Brazil African Film Festival (BAFF) that the festival was able to screen Brazilian films City of GodProperty, Malu, and A Strange Path and host filmmakers Pedro Freire and Guto Parente at DIFF 2024. This partnership will see a South African focus at the Mostra de Cinemas Africanos Brazil African Film Festival (BAFF) in September 2024.

The French Institute in South Africa and Alliance Francaise are loyal supporters of the work of the Centre for the Creative Arts and facilitated the screening of the documentaries, Dahomey, Coconut Head Generation, and Four Daughters and two features, Disco Afrika: A Malagasy Story and the City of Wind.

A visit to the DIFF would not have been complete without exploring the beauty and cultural heritage of KwaZulu-Natal. The contribution of the film festival is recognised by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism & Film Authority, the Durban FilmMart Institute, and the Durban Film Office.

“As our local and provincial relationships continue to strengthen, it ensures the growth of the economy and awareness of the province as a viable and essential location for filmmakers”, says Andrea Voges.

The Bioscope (Johannesburg) and The Labia (Cape Town) are essential for the success of the festival and provide audiences with an opportunity to see some films from the DIFF 2024 programme. With Spiga ensuring their taste buds were satisfied, an all-around enjoyable evening was a certainty for audiences in Durban.

The Durban International Film Festival is deeply grateful to all of the following funders and partners: KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), NIHSS DSAC, BASA, Durban FilmMart Institute, French Institute in South African, Alliance Francaise, Mostra de Cinemas Africanos Brazil African Film Festival, Wavescape, CineCentre, Nu Metro, Ster Kinekor, The Bioscope, The Labia, CAP Studios, Denis Hurley, K-CAP, Luthuli Museum, Wushwini Pan African Arts Centre, Spiga, Video Store Podcast, SABC, Gravel Road, Film and Publication Board (FPB), Durban Film Office, Stained Glass, Bridge and Sheer Publishing Africa.

“We thank them for their ongoing support and their recognition of our work, and we look forward to the ongoing support and encouragement we have enjoyed from audiences, filmmakers, and partners.

We are pleased to announce that the 46th edition of the Durban International Film Festival will take place from 17 to 27 July 2025. “ We look forward to presenting the 46th Durban International Festival, which will continue to bring quality and immeasurable value to anyone who shares our vision of widening the view and closing the gaps in our shared world”, added Andrea Voges.

Andrea Voges was recognised by the leading international publication, Screen International, as one of 25 Future Leaders: Film Festival Programmers and Curators to Watch.

DIFF 2025 17 to 27 July

Follow us to keep updated