THE DIFF
ISIPHETHU INDUSTRY PROGRAMME
The DIFF Isiphethu Industry Programme is a five-day programme that takes place during the festival. It is open to everyone and has no entrance fee. The programme consists of seminars, workshops and panel discussions and is designed for emerging filmmakers and as a stepping stone to the Durban FilmMart. We are proud to present a programme that increases access and assists in transformation.
The 2025 Isiphethu Programme will take place in Durban from 21 to 25 July 2025.
21 July – Why Marketing & Distribution Should Start with the Script
22 July – What’s Your Film’s Identity and Who Is It For? Branding & Positioning
23 July – Niche to Noise: Building an Audience that Cares – Finding & Engaging Audiences
24 July – Getting It Seen Part 1: Festival, Streaming & Hybrid Strategies – Navigating Distribution Options
25 July – Getting It Seen Part 2: Festival, Streaming & Hybrid Strategies – Navigating Distribution Options
by Ayanda Halimana | 21 – 25 July 2025 | Daily from 11:30 to 12:30 | Belaire Suites Hotel
21 July – Your Creative Voice. The Power of Telling Your Story, Your Way.
22 July – A Home for Your Story. Exploring Platforms & Spaces Best Suited for Your Project.
23 July – The Independent Filmmaking Landscape in South Africa – A Tried & Tested Model? Discussion on Projects That Are Successful & Have Been Licensed.
24 July – Alternative Funding & Commissioning Deals Outside Linear Broadcast & Straight Commission, What Else is Possible?
25 July – The Making of the Independent, Award-Winning Short Film, Sent
by Various Speakers | 21 – 25 July 2025 | Daily from 15:00 to 16:00 | Belaire Suites Hotel
21 July – South Africa Guild of Editors
Inspiring Excellence in Each Cut by Melissa Parry
How SAGE advances the art of post: the role of the picture editor, assistant editors, sound editors and post-production professionals.
22 July – National Film and Video Foundation
The Producer & Director Relationship – PESP Funded Projects Brought-to-Life by Nceba Mqolomba and SiyaSityana
Short films are often more challenging to produce than features where the story needs to be told just as effectively, but with a limited amount of the most important resource: time. Renowned director Siyasaanga Sityana and producer Nceba Mqolomba will unpack the symbiotic relationship required between a Producer and Director in ensuring that the scripts behind micro-budget projects are brought to life. This conversation will be interactive where two of their short films, produced through the PESP skills development stream, will be showcased.
23 July – KZN Tourism & Film Authority
Exploring Innovative Film Funding Models – Public Private Partnerships by Jacqueline Rainers
The session will explore innovative film funding models that filmmakers may consider outside government to sustain the limited funding pot for the film industry.
24 July – Durban Film Office
Ethekwini Municipality Film Services by Bongumusa Mbhele
The focus will be on essential topics including how to access locations, filming in eThekwini, understanding the city’s film by-laws, and the do’s and don’ts when using public locations under the eThekwini municipality.
25 Jul – SABC
How to submit your concept to the SABC by David Makubyane, Tshlidzi Davhana
An overview of the different video entertainment platform needs and ways of engaging the platforms and getting content onto the platforms
Stained Glass Productions Presents
by Various Speakers | 21 & 22 July 2025 | Daily from 13:30 to 14:30 | Belaire Suites Hotel
21 July – The Production War Room by Mariki Van der Walt, David Mukwevho, Nokuthula Dlamini, Mthunzi Dubazana
An immersive, hands-on experience where industry professionals tackle real-world production challenges designed to test strategy, spark creativity, and sharpen decision-making under pressure.
22 July – From Script to Screen: The A to Z of Creating a Hit Show” Using Amalanga Awafani as a Case Study by Mthunzi Dubazana , Nontyatyambo Daniel, Busi Matonsi, David Mukwevho, Nomfundo Zondi
Join the team at Stained Glass Productions as they take you through the journey of launching a new television show, Amalanga Awafani, from the initial idea to the premiere episode.
DUT Video Technology Department
Nisha Naidoo | 23 July 2025 | from 13:30 to 14:30 | Belaire Suites Hotel
23 July – Packaging Projects for Success by Nisha Naidoo
An introduction to packaging projects covering: What is a project package? What, why and when is a project package used? What is included/requested in a project package? Examples of project packages. Some tips for successful project packaging.
Andy Signs Productions
Andiswa Gebashe, Mxolisi ‘Max’ Nodom | 24 July 2025 | from 13:30 to 14:30 | Belaire Suites Hotel
24 July – Breaking Barriers: SASL and Inclusive Storytelling by Andiswa Gebashe, Mxolisi ‘Max’ Nodom
An interactive discussion on the power of South African Sign Language (SASL) in film and media, and how inclusive storytelling reshapes access and representation for the Deaf community.
African International Short Film Market
Gbenga Adeoti | 25 July 2025 | from 13:30 to 14:30 | Belaire Suites Hotel
25 July – Short & Bold – Building a thriving ecosystem for African Short Films by Gbenga Adeoti
Short films are a powerful storytelling format and a vital channel for African stories to gain more visibility, yet Africa’s short film ecosystem remains underdeveloped. This discussion will explore the gaps in funding, distribution, visibility, and how bold new platforms like the African International Short Film Market (AISFM) are helping to bridge those gaps. It will highlight strategies for building a more connected and sustainable future for African short films.