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Durban FilmMart, which runs in Durban, South Africa from July 17-20, has announced its project selection for this year.

Durban FilmMart is in its sixth edition, and selected the 19 docs and features from more than 120 submissions from African filmmakers.

Dfm is a joint initiative between the Durban Film Office and the Durban International Film Festival (July 16-26).

“This year, we are pleased to welcome projects from a diverse range of countries on the continent, including Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa,” said Toni Monty of the Durban Film Office. “The Dfm has become an important springboard for projects that have been conceptualized by African filmmakers, to support them as the projects move from the idea to exhibition. Over the last five years we have seen many projects go on to be awarded further opportunities to develop at various other markets, and eventually be screened in cinemas and festivals around the globe. In previous...

Filmmaker Sam Kessie (London-born, Ghana-raised & now Atlanta-based filmmaker) whose past work has been featured on this site (the documentary on former Ghanaian world-championship boxer, Azumah Nelson, titled Zoom Zoom – The Professor, notably), is casting for her next project, which I think you'll find quite interesting, as I did, based on the logline alone. Everything you need to know follows below... Short Docu-fiction project.Logline:When a grief stricken freethinking ex-Corporal in an African army is unable to accept the murder of her daughter, she tracks down the killer who’d fled abroad and uses a reality show to document her reasons to justify the retribution she will...

The story of Ghanaian featherweight boxer Azumah Nelson is brought to life with play by play footage of both his most glorious and humbling fights in the documentary Zoom Zoom – The Professor.

The film’s producer Sam Kessie came upon the project by chance a few years ago. A fortuitous meeting with a mutual friend opened a door to a partnership between Sam and Azumah in documenting his important legacy.

The end result is a clear and concise film honoring the great boxer, and a wonderful visual message to young the men who have joined the Azumah Foundation in hopes of one day repeating the namesake’s success.

Sam Kessie was born in London and raised there until she was eight, her family returned to Ghana thereafter. On the track to study various disciplines of science and math, Sam left Ghana for the United States to attend college in Wisconsin,...

A film I alerted you to last month – Atlanta-based filmmaker Sam Kessie’s documentary about former Ghanaian world-championship boxer, Azumah Nelson, aka The Professor, titled Zoom Zoom – The Professor.

The film was selected by National Geographic’s “2011 Women Hold Up Half The Sky Series,” which features works by “trailblazing female filmmakers.” It’ll screen on April 2, 2011 at the National Geographic Headquarters in Washington, DC. Trailer follows underneath.

Check out the trailer for Zoom Zoom – The Professor, an upcoming documentary from London-born, Ghana-raised & now Atlanta-based filmmaker Sam Kessie, about former Ghanaian world-championship boxer, Azumah Nelson, aka The Professor!

Also referred to as “the Muhammad Ali of Africa,” with a career that spanned 19 years, Nelson enjoyed a professional record of 39 wins, 6 losses and 2 draws, with 28 knockout wins, making him something of a hero in his native Ghana. He was selected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame on January 8, 2004. He is also a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame. More on Nelson and the project Here.

The film should begin touring the film festival circuit soon. You’ll know when I know.