by Thinus Ferreira
South Africa's 46th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) is taking place from 17 July, with its concurrent 16th Durban FilmMart that is adding Oscar-winning director Roger Ross Williams, Tunisian producer Dora Bouchoucha and the veteran South African filmmaker Ramadan Suleman to its In Conversation series of panel discussions.
The 46th edition of DIFF is set for 17 to 21 July in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.
The 16th Durban FilmMart - it's co-production and film finance market - will run from 18 to 21 July at the Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani Hotels, this year under the banner theme of "Bridges Not Borders: Stories that Unite".
The Durban FilmMart's industry programme includes its own In Conversation series of panel discussions and for 2025 it has added the American Oscar-winning director Roger Ross Williams, Tunisian producer Dora Bouchoucha, as well as the veteran South African filmmaker Ramadan Suleman as speakers.
"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."
The Academy Award-winning director and producer Roger Ross Williams is a director, producer and writer and the first African American director to win an Academy Award, with his film Music by Prudence.
Dora Bouchoucha is a trailblazing Tunisian producer championing Arab and African cinema, and is the founder of Nomadis Images and a pivotal figure in North African cinema.
With an illustrious career spanning decades, Dora Bouchoucha has produced award-winning films including Hedi and Dear Son.
She founded the Carthage Film Festival Projects’ workshop and has served on juries at prestigious festivals including Berlin and Venice.
The veteran South African filmmaker Ramadan Suleman has decades of experience as director and producer of instrumental various works in post-apartheid South African cinema.
Co-founder of Natives at Large, Ramadan Suleman directed groundbreaking films including Fools, Zulu Love Letter, and By All Means Necessary,.
Ramadan Suleman recently served as the co-producer of Canal+ and MultiChoice's co-production drama series Spinners for MultiChoice's Showmax video streaming service which has been renewed for a second season.