Ethiopian animation project Sunday Morning has won two awards at the 2026 Durban FilmMart, securing a production grant and an opportunity to participate in an international animation industry event.
Produced by Nahom Abiy and directed by Minasie Terefe, the project received the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa’s Best Animation award, which carries a grant of 100,000 South African rand.
Sunday Morning also received the Animation Production Days Award, providing three nights’ accommodation and a producer’s industry accreditation to participate in Animation Production Days in 2027.
The two awards combine financial support with access to an international industry platform, giving the Ethiopian project opportunities to advance its development and build professional connections.
The awards were announced on October 12 at the conclusion of the 17th Durban FilmMart, held from October 9 to 12 in Durban, South Africa. The event brought together 1,131 film professionals and filmmakers from 56 countries under the theme “Shifting Worlds: Turning Towards Ourselves.”
The recognition of Sunday Morning placed an Ethiopian project among this year’s award recipients from across Africa and beyond.
The National Film and Video Foundation presented separate grants of 100,000 rand for fiction, non-fiction and animation. Alongside the Ethiopian animation project, Nigeria’s The Boy Who Spoke Static received the fiction award, while Kenya’s The Ones with the Tempered Flowers received the non-fiction award.
The Animation Production Days prize offers Sunday Morning a further opportunity to engage with industry professionals. The award covers accommodation and producer accreditation, but the announcement did not specify support for flights.
The Durban FilmMart awards programme distributed 39 awards from 30 partners, with a combined value exceeding two million rand. Support ranged from cash grants to market participation, professional development, mentorship and distribution consultancy.
Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute, said the awards were intended to create practical opportunities for filmmakers.
“Every prize, whether it is a cash grant, a place in a lab or market, or a mentorship, opens a door for these filmmakers, and we are deeply grateful to our partners for their continued belief in African storytelling,” she said.
This year’s FilmMart focused on alternative financing, equitable co-production and partnerships that support African filmmakers’ creative priorities.
Reddy said delegates brought projects and ideas to Durban while engaging in candid discussions about how to finance and produce films through more balanced international relationships.
“The talent showcased in this year’s programme and film projects exemplifies the strength of African cinema; networks expanded, and partnerships forged will extend DFM’s legacy and impact,” she said.
The event’s awards reflected that emphasis, offering filmmakers support at different stages of development and production. Documentary projects received funding and access to international markets, while other recipients secured writing residencies, post-production support and professional consultations.
For Nahom Abiy and Minasie Terefe, the recognition of Sunday Morning brings both a financial contribution and a pathway to further industry engagement. The awards announcement did not provide details about the project’s storyline, production schedule or expected release date.
The 17th Durban FilmMart was held in association with MultiChoice, with principal funding from South Africa’s National Lotteries Commission and the National Film and Video Foundation. Other supporters included the Ford Foundation, Netflix, MTN Group and the Industrial Development Corporation.
