The 2018 edition of the Cape Town International Film Market and Festival (CTIFMF) will take place from 9 to 19 October 2018 at venues across the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town.

For this year’s Industry Programme, the CTIFMF has made a concerted effort to focus on outcome driven programmes with tangible results that will benefit both emerging and experienced filmmakers and industry professionals.

The 4-day programme offers an array of skills development master-classes, highly informative panel discussions, and intense and engaging networking opportunities. With an eye to the CTIFMF’s themes of CREATE, COLLABORATE, CELEBRATE, the industry program is a truly inclusive offering that proudly celebrates the diversity of the South African and African film industries whilst also focusing on the importance of global cooperation and collaboration.

The various sessions include experts from the South African context, from across Africa with strong representation from Kenya and Nigeria, and from further afield, industry talent from Brazil, Canada (TIFF), the UK, Germany (Berlinale), France (Cannes), and the USA.

Highlights of the four days include panel discussions on topical and relevant issues such as the importance of emerging technologies within the industry. An exhibition space for audience to experience VR at its best will also be on display at the EXPO.

A comprehensive session on VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality), as well as the importance of crypto currencies and blockchain, will include experts Brian Afande, (Black Rhino VR Kenya) Ingrid Kopp (Electric South), Toni Caradonna, (Ethereum Movie Venture), and Karl Carter, (Snake Nation, USA). Toni will also present a separate Masterclass focusing on block chain and cryptos for Dummies.

Within the focus on tech and digital, there is also a look at web-series with case studies that will include producers in this space such as, Dorothee Wenner – Kinshasa Collection and Kelly-Eve Koopman – Coloured Mentality.

With a strong emphasis on diversity as well as the importance of the space that African content occupies globally, the CTIFMF will also present a range of highly topical panel discussions. A key session on diversity will be presented by Flourishing Films’ Themba Bhebhe.

Additionally, Africa is in the spotlight in a number of sessions including Positioning Africa, the Opening Assembly of the Industry Program that will include both African filmmakers as well as top international gate keepers. These experts will have a frank and open discussion on the way that Africa and African content is currently positioned. The panel will include Remi Bonhomme from Marrakesh and Cannes Semaine de la Critique, Andrew Orgel – Quality of Life Media, USA, Cara Causmano – Tribeca Film Festival, and filmmakers Zamo Makwenze, Amira Tajdin, and Phillipa Ndisi Herrmann.

The Ladima Foundation will also focus on the importance of Pan-African networks specifically for women in the industry with their panel discussion. A range of influential women from the industry from across Africa will take part, including Mildred Okwo, a producer/director from Nigeria, from Kenya, Phillipa Ndisi Herrmann and Catherine Gitahi of the Kenya Film Commission, as well as international filmmaker Tessa Boerman.

The book adaption programme, ADAPT, will also present two sessions open to badge holders that will focus on the journey from Book to Screen, and these will be presented by Selina Ukwuoma, Selina is a freelance script consultant who began her career at literary agency Curtis Brown working on a number of adaptations including 2008 BAFTA winner BOY A. She has since gone on to advise on award-winning indie films such as 2014 Teddy winner THE WAY HE LOOKS and this year’s Goyas triumph SUMMER 1993, both Foreign Language Oscars entries from their respective countries.

Various other sessions such as the Meet the Makers series will provide various perspectives and “behind-the-scenes” insights into iconic and successful African films. These sessions will cover themes such as Performance, Visual Style, Lo-Fi, Children Content, Documentaries and Local / Global Success.

CTIFMF market director Elias Ribeiro sums up the industry programme this way, “We are incredibly excited by the support and enthusiasm we have had from the dozens of experts and professionals who have committed to taking part in this programme. They all share our collaborative vision that is based on creating real value and tangible outcomes for all participants. We urge everyone with an interest in the growth of the South African and African film industries to take part in these events and reap the real rewards that will come from these informative sessions and truly remarkable networking opportunities.”