The 16th Durban FilmMart (DFM), scheduled from 18 - 21 July 2025 in Durban, is set to deliver a programme under the theme "Bridges Not Borders: Stories that Unite". A standout element of the DFM 2025 Industry Programme is the In Conversation series, designed to enrich the film community through in-depth and specialised sessions with professionals who have significantly impacted both global and African cinema. This year's distinguished lineup features influential voices who will share their expertise with delegates seeking inspiration, professional development, and networking opportunities in the African film landscape.

"The In Conversation stream at DFM 2025 continues our tradition of creating meaningful exchanges between industry veterans and emerging talents," says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI). "These sessions not only celebrate the achievements of our headline speakers but provide vital platforms for dialogue that build the bridges our theme envisions. We are thrilled to present these leading experts who will share their knowledge, helping others navigate Africa's evolving film landscape while fostering connections that transcend borders."

Participating in the 2025 Conversation Series is trailblazing Tunisian producer Dora Bouchoucha, founder of Nomadis Images and a pivotal figure in North African cinema. With an illustrious career spanning decades, Bouchoucha has produced award-winning films including "Hedi" (Berlin Silver Bear winner), and "Dear Son.” Her most recent production, "Behind the Mountains" (2023), received critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival. Her expertise extends beyond production—she founded the Carthage Film Festival Projects' workshop and has served on juries at prestigious festivals including Berlin and Venice. As a champion for Arab and African cinema, Bouchoucha brings invaluable insights on creating pathways for regional stories to reach global audiences.

Veteran South African filmmaker, Ramadan Suleman, bringing decades of experience as director and producer of seminal works in post-apartheid South African cinema. Co-founder of Natives at Large, Suleman directed groundbreaking films including "Fools," "Zulu Love Letter," and "By All Means Necessary”, while recently serving as the co- producer of the hit French and South African co-production “Spinners”. His work, deeply rooted in exploring South Africa's complex social fabric while connecting with universal human experiences, epitomizes cinema's power to unite audiences across cultural divides. Suleman's participation offers delegates insight into sustainable filmmaking practices that maintain artistic integrity while navigating industry challenges.

Academy Award-winning director and producer Roger Ross Williams joins the conversation series, Roger Ross Williams is an Oscar, Emmy, Peabody, and NAACP Image award-winning director, producer, and writer –and the first African American director to win an Academy Award ®, with his film MUSIC BY PRUDENCE. Williams directed LIFE, ANIMATED, which won him the Sundance Directing

Award, and was nominated for an Academy Award ® and won three Emmys. Williams is the recipient of the Career Achievement Award from the International Documentary Association, The Woodstock Film Festival Maverick Award, The NYU Alumni Achievement Award, and an honorary doctorate from Lafayette College. His production company One Story Up produced the acclaimed food series HIGH ON THE HOG, an adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates's BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME, the Ben Crump documentary CIVIL, the award-winning film MASTER OF LIGHT, and the Primetime Emmy award-winning feature documentary THE APOLLO. Williams' first scripted feature

The 16th Durban FilmMart (DFM), scheduled from 18 - 21 July 2025 in Durban, is set to deliver a programme under the theme "Bridges Not Borders: Stories that Unite". A standout element of the DFM 2025 Industry Programme is the In Conversation series, designed to enrich the film community through in-depth and specialised sessions with professionals who have significantly impacted both global and African cinema. This year's distinguished lineup features influential voices who will share their expertise with delegates seeking inspiration, professional development, and networking opportunities in the African film landscape.

"The In Conversation stream at DFM 2025 continues our tradition of creating meaningful exchanges between industry veterans and emerging talents," says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI). "These sessions not only celebrate the achievements of our headline speakers but provide vital platforms for dialogue that build the bridges our theme envisions. We are thrilled to present these leading experts who will share their knowledge, helping others navigate Africa's evolving film landscape while fostering connections that transcend borders."

Participating in the 2025 Conversation Series is trailblazing Tunisian producer Dora Bouchoucha, founder of Nomadis Images and a pivotal figure in North African cinema. With an illustrious career spanning decades, Bouchoucha has produced award-winning films including "Hedi" (Berlin Silver Bear winner), and "Dear Son.” Her most recent production, "Behind the Mountains" (2023), received critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival. Her expertise extends beyond production—she founded the Carthage Film Festival Projects' workshop and has served on juries at prestigious festivals including Berlin and Venice. As a champion for Arab and African cinema, Bouchoucha brings invaluable insights on creating pathways for regional stories to reach global audiences.

Veteran South African filmmaker, Ramadan Suleman, bringing decades of experience as director and producer of seminal works in post-apartheid South African cinema. Co-founder of Natives at Large, Suleman directed groundbreaking films including "Fools," "Zulu Love Letter," and "By All Means Necessary”, while recently serving as the co- producer of the hit French and South African co-production “Spinners”. His work, deeply rooted in exploring South Africa's complex social fabric while connecting with universal human experiences, epitomizes cinema's power to unite audiences across cultural divides. Suleman's participation offers delegates insight into sustainable filmmaking practices that maintain artistic integrity while navigating industry challenges.

Academy Award-winning director and producer Roger Ross Williams joins the conversation series, Roger Ross Williams is an Oscar, Emmy, Peabody, and NAACP Image award-winning director, producer, and writer –and the first African American director to win an Academy Award ®, with his film MUSIC BY PRUDENCE. Williams directed LIFE, ANIMATED, which won him the Sundance Directing

Award, and was nominated for an Academy Award ® and won three Emmys. Williams is the recipient of the Career Achievement Award from the International Documentary Association, The Woodstock Film Festival Maverick Award, The NYU Alumni Achievement Award, and an honorary doctorate from Lafayette College. His production company One Story Up produced the acclaimed food series HIGH ON THE HOG, an adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates's BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME, the Ben Crump documentary CIVIL, the award-winning film MASTER OF LIGHT, and the Primetime Emmy award-winning feature documentary THE APOLLO. Williams' first scripted feature

 MTFB SPECIAL: FINAL FINAL OSCAR PREDICITONS

Here's what I'm saying will happen tonight in all 23 Academy Awards categories (TTF #51 films in Bold):

Best Picture: Winner: Anora.  Possible Upset: Conclave.

Best Direction: Winner: Sean Baker/Anora.  Possible Upset: Brady Corbet/The Brutalist

Best Actress: Winner: Demi Moore/The Substance.  Possible "Upset": Mikey Madison/Anora

Best Actor:  Winner: Adrien Brody/The Brutalist.  Possible Upset: Timothee Chalamet/A Complete Unknown.

Best Supporting Actress: Winner: Zoe Saldana/Emilia Perez.  Possible Upset: Ariana Grande/Wicked or Isabella Rossellini/Conclave.

Best Supporting Actor: Winner: Kieran Culkin/A Real Pain.  Possible Upset: Edward Norton/ A Complete Unknown.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Winner: Conclave.  Possible Upset: Nickel Boys.

Best Original Screenplay: Winner: Anora.  Possible Upset: A Real Pain.

Best International Feature: Winner: I'm Still Here.  Possible Upset: Emilia Perez.

Best Documentary Feature: Winner: Porcelain War.  Possible Upset: No Other Land.

Best Animated Feature: winner: The Wild Robot.  Possible Upset: Flow.

Best Cinematography: Winner: The Brutalist.  Possible Upset: Nosferatu.

Best Editing: Conclave.  Possible Upset: Anora.

Best Original Score: Winner: The Brutalist.  Possible Upset: Conclave.

Best Original Song: Winner: El Mal/Emilia Perez.  Possible Upset: The Journey/The Six Triple Eight.

Best Production Design: Winner: Wicked.  Possible Upset: The Brutalist.

Best Costume Design: Winner: Wicked.  Possible Upset: Nosferatu or A Complete Unknown.

Best Makeup/Hair: Winner: The Substance.  Possible Upset: Wicked.

Best Sound Design: Winner: Dune Part Two.  Possible Upset: Wicked or A Complete Unknown.

Best Visual Effects: Winner Dune Part Two.  Possible Upset: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

Best Live Action Short: Winner: A Lien.  Possible Upset: Anuja. (But who knows?)

Best Animated Short: Winner: Yuck!.  Possible Upset: Wander to Wonder. (But who knows?)

Best Documentary Short: Winner: I Am Ready Warden.  Possible Upset: The Only Girl in the Orchestra.

If I'm 100% accurate:

TFF films win eight Oscars:

Anora (3): Best Picture, Direction and Original Screnplay.

Conclave (2): Best Adapted Screenplay and Editing.

Emilia Perez (2): Best Supporting Actress and Song.

A Real Pain (1): Best Supporting Actor.

Other non-TFF films with multiple wins:

The Brutalist (3): Best Actor, Cinematography and Score.

The Substance (2): Best Actress and Makeup/Hair.

Wicked (2): Best Production Design and Costume Design.

Dune Part Two (2): Best Sound Design and Visual Effects.

MTFB OSCAR UPDATE: PREDICTING THE WINNERS PART FOUR