MBABANE – A young and local self-taught animator from the kingdom has been selected to showcase at the Durban FilmMart Institution.
Mfanelo Masuku, the founder of Siyakuhla Kids’ Habits, is making waves in the animation world as his captivating cartoon project aims to instil positive life habits and values in children through fun, relatable characters.
The project recently achieved a significant milestone, selected from over 500 applicants across Africa to participate in the prominent Durban FilmMart 2025 in South Africa. As one of the continent’s most esteemed film and animation industry platforms, the Durban FilmMart is a pivotal event. The animator has received an official invitation to attend and present their work there this July, which is proof of the project’s innovative approach and universal appeal.
In an interview with the animator, he shared that the path he chose has been fraught with challenges, particularly given the limited resources available in the country.
“I am truly excited about this achievement, and what makes the journey particularly special is its independent genesis. As a self-taught animator, every aspect of my craft, from animation to sound design, scriptwriting, music production and visual creation, all while managing the business and funding side of things. It has not been easy, especially with limited resources here at home, but it proves that creatives from Eswatini have a place on the global stage,” he said.
This inspiring narrative serves as encouragement for other young creators and artists in Eswatini. It demonstrates that with dedication, perseverance and a belief in one’s vision, it is possible to build something truly meaningful, even with seemingly humble beginnings and limited means. The animator’s success heightens the immense potential that lies within the nation’s flourishing creative sector.
The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) announced the line-up of projects and participants for their 18th edition of Talents Durban, taking place from July 18 – 25, 2025. As the African satellite programme of the Berlin International Film Festival and Berlinale Talents, Talents Durban holds a significant position within the DFMI’s programming portfolio. This edition of Talents Durban is distinguished by its inclusion of participants from 18 African countries, who collectively reflect the continent’s diversity of emerging film professionals.
The event organisers, through a press release and social media pages, revealed that the selection process was highly competitive, with over 500 applications resulting in the choice of 26 distinctive projects and five film critics, each bringing a fresh perspective to features, documentaries, shorts, series, animation and film criticism. Their core mission is to champion and uplift up-and-coming African filmmakers and critics.
The programme achieves this through a multifaceted approach, offering invaluable mentorship, robust project development support and crucial industry engagement opportunities. This comprehensive backing helps to nurture emerging talent and equip them with the skills and connections necessary to thrive in the competitive global film and animation industries.
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