Durban FilmMart is bringing South African filmmaking into focus as MultiChoice seeks new partnerships to support local productions, creative businesses and careers. Running from 9 to 12 October 2026, the event also provides a platform for Deepixels to introduce WiC, an initiative aimed at helping African films reach paying audiences.
The two developments address connected challenges: helping filmmakers bring their ideas to the screen and building audiences that can support those productions over time.
MultiChoice Supports Local Creative Businesses
MultiChoice’s participation in the 17th Durban FilmMart centres on strengthening the environment in which South African filmmakers operate.
The company wants to build partnerships that help creative ideas become viable productions. Its priorities also include growing businesses, supporting careers and protecting intellectual property.
Willington Ngwepe, CEO of MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd, says a sustainable local content industry needs investment alongside opportunities for producers to build businesses, women to advance into leadership and emerging professionals to access mentorship.
The emphasis extends beyond producing individual films or programmes. It recognises the people, businesses and professional networks needed to sustain local storytelling.
MultiChoice also wants to bring creators closer to audience demand. Ngwepe says the company listens to what customers want to watch while engaging with the challenges facing content creators.
Durban FilmMart Connects Ideas With Partners
Durban FilmMart has an established role in connecting filmmakers and producers with financing, potential collaborators and industry expertise.
It also creates opportunities to explore co-productions and international markets. For filmmakers, those relationships can be an important step between developing an idea and securing the support needed to produce it.
Magdalene Reddy, director of Durban FilmMart, says MultiChoice’s involvement strengthens the event’s mission to connect filmmakers with financing and partnerships.
She highlights access to decision-makers as a particular benefit. Such engagement gives filmmakers an opportunity to discuss projects with people who could help move them towards production.
However, participation should not be read as a guarantee of funding. The announcement focuses on building relationships and strengthening industry support.
WiC Targets African Cinema’s Audience Challenge
Alongside the production conversation, Deepixels is introducing WiC, short for Watch in Community, at Durban FilmMart 2026.
The initiative responds to a question facing African cinema: how can films consistently attract, grow and retain paying African audiences?
Deepixels co-founder Toni Monty says the industry has invested in creative development, production capacity and market access. WiC seeks to strengthen the connection between that work and sustained audience development.
Its proposed model links digital film discovery and ticket purchasing with screenings in physical venues and community cinema spaces.
It also brings programming, payments and audience information into the system. Deepixels intends to use these connections to develop ongoing audience relationships, rather than treating each screening as an isolated event.
Following Durban FilmMart, the company plans to test and refine the model through a South African pilot rollout.
Why These Developments Matter for Media Brands
From a brand and business perspective, the two announcements highlight different parts of the same commercial challenge.
Productions need financing, professional support and protection for their creative work. They also need routes to audiences who are willing to watch and pay.
MultiChoice’s participation focuses on supporting creators and strengthening partnerships. WiC explores additional ways for African screen content to find audiences.
Their impact will depend on what follows the event: the partnerships formed, projects developed and results of audience testing. Together, however, they place both production and audience development firmly in the conversation about a sustainable African screen industry.
For more on opportunities in local filmmaking, read Pat on Brands’ coverage of the Joburg Film Festival’s Youth and Audience Development Programme. Visit the official Durban FilmMart website for event and programme information.
