Umfula - Echoes of the River making an impact in Communities along the Mfolozi River

A Virtual Reality (VR) film Umfula - Echoes of the River , created by VR Capture and directed by Ballito-based Telmo dos Reis has been touring communities along the Mfolozi River in KwaZulu-Natal as part of the filmmakers’ aim to raise awareness about environmental conservation of this historic waterway.

The film takes viewers on a virtual reality journey along the river, highlighting its beauty, ecological significance, and the threats it faces. It offers a highly sensory experience of life on the river.

The screenings were recently held in various communities along the uMfolozi starting from its source in Vryheid northern KwaZulu-Natal and culminating at Isimangaliso Wetland Park including Nzamangamandla (Nongoma), Hlabisa, Somkhele, Sokhulu and St Lucia.

“We held these screenings over several weeks in February and March, with each community event serving as a platform for education, engagement, and dialogue about environmental conservation,” explains dos Reis. “Our goal was to raise awareness about environmental conservation while also creating job opportunities for local residents through the events. The project aimed to employ at least 33 people over this period, however, due to careful budgeting, they were able to employ around 60 people, providing some economic support to the communities.”

The screenings were made possible through a grant from PESP4 (Presidential Employment Stimulus Package) and the National Film and Video Foundation, and a collaborative effort between production company VR Capture and local community leaders. The community leaders who worked on the film represented the project as event hosts for their respective areas.

Producer Cheryl Tuckett from Light and Lion, reports that the screenings had a profound impact on the communities. “This was not only in terms of raising awareness of the challenges the river faces and the importance of clean freshwater but also in reigniting a pride in and ownership of their natural resources,” she says.  “The events were attended by a diverse audience, including local residents, community leaders, and environmental activists, who all came together to celebrate the beauty of the Mfolozi River and discuss ways to protect it.”

‘We did not just want to show the film in the communities we worked with during the making of it,” says dos Reis. ‘We wanted to use the opportunity to empower communities through fostering a sense of environmental stewardship. Through this project, we hope to inspire others to take action and protect our planet's precious natural resources.”

Umfula - Echoes of the River by VR Capture was made with the support of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Film Commission,  the National Film and Video Foundation, PESP4, and Light and Lion, providing development and funding for the production and community screenings of the film. 

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Realness Announces Participants for Second Edition of Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy

Nine female film industry professionals from Africa have been selected to participate in the second edition of the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy – a dynamic and innovative film industry development programme presented by Realness Institute in partnership with the Locarno Film Festival and with the support of The Story Board Collective.

The programme aims to support, upskill and network young film professionals working in distribution and sales, festival programming, theatrical exhibition, and other related sectors of the industry.

Participants of the 2023 Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy : Tope l-r: Lerato Bokako (South Africa), Nozipho Swelindawo (South Africa),  Abulele Njisane (South Africa), Middle l-r: Anga Mqingwana (South Africa), Khanyisile Zondi (South Africa), Lucinda Van de Rheede (South Africa), Bottom L-R: Seggen Mikael (Eritrea/ Germany), Taryn Joffe (South Africa), Victoria Ogar (Nigeria) 

The participants are:

Abulele Njisane (South Africa) - lecturer in Cinema Studies at the School of Arts, Media and Cultural Studies department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

Lerato Bokako (South Africa) – film festival programmer and features writer.

Taryn Joffe (South Africa) - Festival Programmer and Industry Coordinator at Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, curator and writer. 

Anga Mqingwana (South Africa) -producer with Big World Cinema team in Cape Town as a Production and Distribution Co-ordinator.

Khanyisile Zondi (South Africa)- founder of Sinema Agency, a start-up specialising in film marketing, public relations, and distribution.

Nozipho Swelindawo (South Africa) - founder and co-director of Mbudu Community Art Centre. 

Victoria Ogar (Nigeria) - film account manager at Filmone Entertainment 

Lucinda Van de Rheede (South Africa) - entrepreneur, writer and freelance line producer and researcher.

Seggen Mikael (Eritrea/ Germany) - freelance cultural manager, programmer and writer, Film Festival Programmer at DOK.fest Munich and Industry Programmer at the European Film Market (Berlinale).

"We are thrilled to witness the Academy gearing up for this year’s edition during the highly anticipated FAME Week,” says Markus Duffner, Head of Locarno Pro, and Marion Klotz, Industry Academy Project Manager. “We love that all the selected participants are women, as the global film industry requires more female voices to be heard. We believe that this initiative will help propel young professionals into the vibrant tapestry of the local and international film industry network. We look forward to the transformative impact it will have on the next generation of filmmakers.”

“We believe this to be one of our most necessary industry initiatives,” says Elias Ribeiro co-founder and Executive Director of Realness Institute and Regional Manager of Locarno Southern Africa Industry Academy. “Before producers can deliver their content to African audiences through established and profitable distribution avenues on a large scale, we will remain dependent on the North structures. Our content is also worth less than in its primary market, where it is most relevant. The emergence of solid distribution operations is urgent and costly, so we need to innovate while we develop and build.”

The Locarno Southern Africa Industry Academy takes place during FAME Week Africa in Cape Town, South Africa from 3 to 9 September this year. FAME Week Africa is a growing platform for the development and networking of the creative industries on the continent.

"In the heart of MIP Africa at FAME Week Africa, the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy emerges as a transformative platform, empowering African film professionals to unlock their potential,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director: FAME Week Africa. “Through mentorship, networking, and curated programming, we pave the way for their journey into the global entertainment industry, celebrating diverse voices and captivating stories that will shape the future of African cinema.”

The participants will be given the opportunity to network with global experts, attend masterclasses, workshops, and panel discussions. They will also contribute to curating the short film programme, under the mentorship of Academy alumnus Lyse Nsengiyumva (Rwanda) which will be showcased at The Labia Cinema in Cape Town from 7 to 9 September and will feature conversations with high-profile filmmakers and Q & A’s.

“As an alumnus of the first edition of the Academy, I’m thrilled and honoured to be part of this prestigious programme again, this time around as an artistic director of the Short Film Festival,” says Nsengiyumva. “I will be working closely with these professionals to curate a balanced and vibrant programme that promises to resonate with audiences. It is an extraordinary privilege to be involved with the Realness Institute which has been unwavering in its support of African cinema.

Victoria Ogar (Nigeria) says that she is looking forward to meeting new people, learning about new cultures through the films, and having a fulfilling experience.”The sheer magnitude of having to consider the films submitted at the festivals through a selection process to explore the audience's potential and satisfaction will be a lifetime achievement for my career growth in the film space."

“I hope to gain a  wider valuable network of African film professionals and that the programme will empower us to promote African cinema globally and elevate its presence on the international stage,” says Seggen Mikael (Eritrea/ Germany).

Khanyisile Zondi (South Africa) looks forward to gaining insights into distribution through the Academy to help affirm her vision to contribute towards the development of film in Africa: “My aspirations for the distribution industry revolve around fostering an inclusive ecosystem and leveraging technology to facilitate easier access for filmmakers across the continent to sales agents, aggregators, and distribution networks.”

Many mentors and experts will be supporting these young professionals in looking for systems and innovations in this distribution sector including amongst others Dennis Ruh (European Film Market Director), Pamela Bienzobas (Locarno Film Festival - member of the feature film selection committee), Lyse Nsengiyumva (International Film Festival Rotterdam Programmer), Constanza Arenas (Luz Agency and Marketing Expert), Sydelle Willow Smith (Sunshine Cinema), Claire Diao (Sudu Connexion) and Elias Ribeiro.

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CineFAM SOUTH AFRICA SHORT FILM CHALLENGE AT DIFF AND DFM

Media Release

CineFAM SOUTH AFRICA SHORT FILM CHALLENGE AT DIFF AND DFM

CaribbeanTales International Film Festival, in partnership with Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT), invites South African women filmmakers to participate in the inaugural CineFAM South Africa Short Film Challenge. The CineFAM South Africa Short Film Challenge aims to create opportunities to garner international recognition and global distribution and is presented at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) (13 to 23 July) and the Durban FilmMart (DFM) (14 to 17 July).

SWIFT is a newly formed organization that aims to advance the participation of women in the South African audio-visual sector. CaribbeanTales is a group of companies that produces, markets, and sells Caribbean-themed film and television content for global audiences. It includes CaribbeanTales Inc. a registered Charity based in Toronto, Canada; the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) which takes place annually in Toronto in September; the renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator Program, a development and production hub for original Caribbean content; CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), the largest full-service distribution entity dedicated to the monetisation of Caribbean content; CaribbeanTalesFlix, our production arm, and CaribbeanTales-TV, a video on demand platform.

 The CineFAM South Africa Short Film Challenge aims to create an opportunity for female South African filmmakers to collaborate and establish creative relationships that stimulate the growth of content made by women. The challenge also aims to connect South African filmmakers with those in the Diaspora as well as a global audience.

SWIFT will present a preparatory workshop on no-budget filmmaking at the Durban FilmMart on Monday, July 17 from 12:30pm to 2pm at the Tsogo Sun Maharani Hotel. This workshop will provide participants with useful tools for making a short film with constraints in time, budget and other resources.  This is a free workshop and no bookings are necessary.

Following the workshop (which is not mandatory to enter the Challenge), the CineFAM South Africa Short Film Challenge will take place from 19-23 July and will be open to teams with the roles of writer, director and producers filled by women and queer filmmakers from South Africa. The theme from the challenge will be announced on 18 July on the CaribbeanTales website www.caribbeantales-tv.com and the teams will have five days to write, shoot and edit a film of no longer than 5 minutes. Entering teams need to feature female identifying crew in the key positions of writer, director and producer.

Completed films must be uploaded by no later than Sunday, 23 July at midnight (GMT +2) on the CaribbeanTales website. Teams unable to upload the films for submission, from their own internet connections, should contact cinefamza@gmail.com on the first day of the challenge to make arrangements for submission.

A shortlist of up to ten short films will be selected and posted on the CT website for online voting. The challenge will recognize three winning films including best story, best direction and audience choice. Two of these films will be given their World Premiere Screening at the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival and all will be given the opportunity to acquire distribution by CTWD.

“We are very excited to be collaborating with both SWIFT and Caribbean Tales on this initiative and hope it will lay the foundation for more cooperation between filmmakers on the continent and those from the Diaspora,” says Toni Monty of the Durban FilmMart.

 “South Africa is a natural partner to CaribbeanTales, and we are thrilled by the opportunity to provide a platform for women filmmakers. CineFAM, meaning “films by women” in Haitian Creole, is a global initiative of ours through which we spotlight to crucial voices of women in film.  We couldn’t be more delighted to continually expand the horizons for the kind of stories that we can tell,” says Frances-Anne Solomon, founder and CEO of CaribbeanTales.

Speaking on behalf of SWIFT Sara Blecher said “Short films are brilliant ways that filmmakers and their projects can get noticed. There are countless examples of how short films are precursors for feature films. We hope that through this process, women filmmakers are driven to create work that will start a process of getting recognition, attention and support to further develop their body of work.”

“We are delighted that this new programme to encourage South African filmmakers to take the short film challenge during the festival focuses on women in line with the Women Led Film theme for this year’s festival,” says Chipo Zhou, DIFF manager. “We look forward to seeing the creative results and perhaps seeing some of these films in our festival in the future.”

For more information, contact cinefamza@gmail.com .  For more information about the DIFF go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za and for the DFM go to www.durbanfilmmart.com.

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Durban Film Office Partners With Uzalo To Train Local Film-Makers

MEDIA RELEASE
DURBAN FILM OFFICE PARTNERS WITH UZALO TO TRAIN LOCAL FILM-MAKERS

Six aspiring Durban film-makers have been given the opportunity to work behind the scenes on one of South Africa’s most watched soapies Uzalo, which boasts a viewership of almost three million per day.

EThekwini Municipality, through its film industry development unit the Durban Film Office, facilitated the yearlong placement of the six trainees who will gain experience by working on the popular SABC 1 drama series. This demonstrates the City’s continued commitment to empower emerging talented youth in the creative industry.

This is the second year that the trainee programme, which covers a number of areas of film-making including sound, camera, make-up and hair, art, continuity and wardrobe, is being run by Stained Glass Productions.  The programme aims to empower young people and create more technically savvy people for the local film industry.

The six Durban youth, who were selected from over 70 applications, includes Pinky Sozombile (make-up and hair), Slindokuhle Msomi (continuity), Thokozani Mahaye (sound), Mbusi Harrison Msane (art department), Philile Masondo (camera) and Ntombifuthi Zakwe (wardrobe).

Pinky Sozombile, 22, from Newlands West who studied beauty therapy at the Creative Arts College in Durban said the scope to learn on set has been fantastic. “I now know that I can do so much more with make-up. It’s not easy doing make-up for film, but I am loving it and hope to learn more about special effects as well.”

Slindokuhle Msomi, 24, from Umlazi, who has a diploma in film and TV production is enjoying the responsibility that comes with continuity on a film set. “Already I have been given an opportunity to work on my own which was very nerve-wracking at first, but people have been very helpful.”

Ntombifuthi “G-2” Zakwe, a 29 year-old fashion design and video technology graduate from Mobeni Heights is loving the challenge of working on a soapie with the many costume changes required daily.  “You have to know your callsheet and script inside out to ensure that you are looking after the actors well. I have been so humbled by the experience, and appreciate learning to work with so many different personalities.”

Setting her long term goals on being a director of photography one day, Philile Masondo, 21, from Ntuzuma, who has a diploma in film and TV production, is based in the camera department. She says that Uzalo provides a “whole new experience."It is helping me aim to be the best that I can be. There is so much experience to gain here.”

Mbusi Harrison Msane, 25, from Wyebank, is in the art department and also has a film and TV diploma. The focus for him at the moment is in the construction of the sets for Uzalo. “Working on this soapie is really helping me to groom myself for a career in film – I am learning so much.”

In the sound department, Thokozani Mahaye, a 21 year-old graduate in music production and sound technology from the Creative Arts College is enjoying working hard and is determined to prove herself in this department.

“There is nothing better than learning through experience,” says Toni Monty, Head of the Durban Film Office. “Programmes like this play an instrumental role in enabling Durban to grow its share in the market. The programme has supported 11 trainees over the past 18 months, many of whom continue to work for Uzalo. We are pleased to see the high level of commitment and enthusiasm shown by these six young people, and appreciate the contribution Stained Glass Productions is making to develop the local pool of skills in the industry.”

EThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede said this training was in line with the City’s vision to stimulate and develop the Durban film industry. “We need to grow a base of technically skilled people to support the production companies that choose to film here or are based in the City. The film industry provides great economic stimulation not only for film-related technical support but also other small, medium and micro enterprises such as freight and logistics, catering and security.”

She said the City working with Stained Glass Productions was a positive example of what can be done when the private sector and government collaborate with common aims.

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South African film, The Wound to open the Panorama programme of the Berlin International Film Festival

South African film, The Wound to open the Panorama programme of the Berlin International Film Festival

South Africa / Germany / Netherlands / France

By John Trengove

European premiere

Just after celebrating its selection to have its world premiere in competition at the Sundance Film festival in the USA, the film-makers of the South African film The Wound, have received news that the film has been selected to open the Berlin International Film Festival’s Panorama section in February 2017.

Produced by Urucu Media, directed by John Trengove and co-written by Trengove, Thando Mgqolozana and Malusi Bengu , The Wound stars multi-talented musician and novelist, Nakhane Touré in his acting debut, with Bongile Mantsai and Niza Jay Ncoyini.

The Wound tells the story Xolani, a lonely Xhosa factory worker who joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. When a defiant initiate from the city discovers his best kept secret, Xolani's entire existence begins to unravel.

Speaking from Cape Town, producer Elias Ribeiro said “We could not have wished for a stronger start for The Wound. We will have the spotlight in the two top festivals in North America and Europe, and that bodes well for its future, as Pyramide, our International Sales Agents will be representing the film at their booth inside the European Film Market in Berlin in February.”

The Berlin International Film Festival website describes the Panorama programme as a showcase of “new films by renowned directors, debut films and new discoveries. The selection of films provides insight on new directions in art house cinema. Traditionally, Auteur Films – movies with an individual signature – form the heart of the programme, and aims to take quality independent film out of its niche into the spotlight of the international market.”

“The fabrication of masculinity has long been a consistent theme in Panorama,” said the statement from the festival. “Producer Elias Ribeiro previously delighted festival audiences in Panorama 2015 with Necktie Youth.”

John Trengove commented: “I was interested in what happens when groups of men come together and organize themselves outside of society and the codes of their everyday lives. I wanted to show the intense emotional and physical exchanges that are possible in these spaces and how repressing strong feelings leads to a kind of toxicity and violence. As an outsider to this culture, it was important that I approach this story from the perspective of characters who are themselves outsiders, who struggle to conform to the status quo of which they are part.”

The Wound is a co-production between South Africa, Germany, The Netherlands and France and was shot on location in the northern region of South Africa. The film was developed with the assistance of The Hubert Bals Fund and ARTE International Prize. The Department of Trade and Industry and The National Film and Video Foundationas well as The World Cinema Fund supported production and the film pre-sold to broadcasters ARTE France and ZDF in Germany. The film’s intended release in South Africa is July 2017.

For more information about The Wound, visit www.urucumedia.com/thewound

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Sharlene Versfeld

Versfeld & Associates

Public Relations and Communications

Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za

Twitter: sharlvers

Website: www.versfeld.co.za

Memorial for award-winning Durban filmmaker Junaid Ahmed - December 14 at 7pm

Memorial for award-winning

Durban filmmaker Junaid Ahmed

The family and friends of the award-wining Durban film-maker Junaid Ahmed who passed away on November 1 this year, extend a warm invitation to all who knew him to join them in a celebration of his life at the Suncoast Cinecentre on Wednesday, December 14 at 7pm. 

Born in Durban in 1959 Junaid went to Southlands High School and graduated from the University of Durban Westville in the 1980’s with BA (Honours) degree in Drama.

Junaid’s passion was always in the creative industries and he had a varied and prolific career in the arts.  He produced, workshopped, acted in and directed many theatre productions at various community venues including the Asoka Theatre, the Market Theatre and at the National Arts Arts Festival. He also wrote and directed the acclaimed musical, Bombay Crush, which starred well-known SA actress Kajal Bagwandeen.

A former board member of the National Interim Film Fund Board (now the National Film and Video Foundation), the international award winning director and producer also had a string of successful film projects to his name. His short film highlights include directing The Vow for Miramax and Channel 4 Films. He also produced the short film Lucky, which was screened at over 80 international festivals in 2006 and was nominated for the 2006 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Best Short film award, and it won Best Short Film at over 40 international film festivals.

He directed the feature film More Than Just A Game for which Sony Pictures International (SPI) acquired the international distribution rights and was broadcast in over 40 countries. Together with Helena Spring, Junaid was, at the time of his death, producing a slate of nine films supported by the NFVF. The first of these - Hard To Get opened the 2014 Durban International Film Festival, and was released in cinemas later that year. Then in February this year their co-produced film Happiness is a Four Letter Word  (with Khanyi Mbau, Renate Stuurman and Mmabatho Montsho in lead roles) was the best performing film of all new releases, in South Africa on its opening weekend. They were currently working on their next film Keeping up with the Kandasamys directed by Durban’s Jayan Moodley, which is in post-production.

Prior to his filmmaking career, he spent ten years as the secretary general of the Congress of South African Writers (COSAW) for some time, he edited poetry anthologies and his articles on arts and culture related issues were published in a number of international publications. 

He is survived by his wife Liza, sons Tariq and Jarred and daughter Taegen.

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The Wound to Make World Premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival

The Wound to Make World Premiere at the

2017 Sundance Film Festival

Johannesburg, South Africa — The Wound, a film by by John Trengove, will make its world premiere in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. The Sundance Film Festival takes place January 19-29 with screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City and at Sundance Mountain Resort, Utah. The Sundance Film Festival has introduced global audiences to some of the most groundbreaking films of the past three decades, including Boyhood, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Whiplash, The End of the Tour, Little Miss Sunshine, Reservoir Dogs, An Inconvenient Truth, Precious and Napoleon Dynamite.

The Wound tells the story Xolani, a lonely Xhosa factory worker who joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. When a defiant initiate from the city discovers his best kept secret, Xolani's entire existence begins to unravel.

The Wound was co-written by John Trengove, Thando Mgqolozana and Malusi Bengu and produced by Urucu Media. It stars multi-talented musician and novelist, Nakhane Touré in his first ever film-role, alongside Bongile Mantsai and Niza Jay Ncoyini. It was shot entirely in South Africa with an all-male Xhosa cast.

"What a privilege to have worked with this fearless cast and insanely talented team of collaborators. I am so grateful for the many Xhosa men who contributed in big ways and small ways, and, miraculously, trusted me to make this film. Whatever comes next, we made The Wound with our eyes and hearts wide open," says Trengove.

The Wound is a co-production between South Africa, Germany, The Netherlands and France and was shot on location in the northern region of South Africa. The film was developed with the assistance of The Hubert Bals Fund and ARTE International Prize. The Department of Trade and Industry and The National Film and Video Foundation supported production and the film presold to broadcasters ARTE France and ZDF in Germany. International Sales will is handled by Pyramide in Paris. The film’s intended release in South Africa is July 2017.

This is John Trengove’s debut feature film.

For more information about The Wound, visit www.urucumedia.com/thewound

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Applications are now open for the Realness Pan African Scriptwriting Residency 2017

Media Release

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE REALNESS PAN AFRICAN SCRIPTWRITING RESIDENCY 2017

Following the success of the inaugural scriptwriting residency, Realness is thrilled to announce the call for submissions for the 2017 edition.

Realness is a pioneering residency that provides filmmakers with the opportunity to hone and develop their creative scriptwriting skills. It serves to address the need for promising African film projects to be supported in their development phase to be able to realistically compete in global film markets.

This year five filmmakers - Amirah Tajdin (Kenya), Hiwot Admasu (Ethiopia) Luck Razanajaona (Madagascar), Sheetal Magan (South Africa) and Wim Steytler (South Africa) spent six weeks at the Nirox Artists’ Residency in the Cradle of Humankind under the mentorship of script consultants Selina Ukwuoma and Nadja Dumouchel, including attending the Durban FilmMart and Talent Campus at the Durban International Film Festival. 

“The success of this residency is not only evident in the encouraging feedback from the participants, who welcomed the opportunity to be in a quiet headspace to tap into their creative sources, but it is also evident in the numerous awards they have received and the progress made following the residency,” explains Elias Ribeiro, Creative Director of Realness. “Luck, for example, had a project selected for the Durban FilmMart prior to the residency, where we met and worked with participants as a precursor to programme. Here he walked off with awards from CineMart (International Film Festival Rotterdam) and the International Organisation of La Francophonie to further develop his script. Hiwot has since won an award to participate at another residency programme in Switzerland the Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur, and two of the projects have signed co-production agreements since completing the residency.”

As a result of the Realness programme, Ribeiro has,been invited to present the initiative at five major international festivals since starting it earlier this year, namely Berlinale, Cannes, Locarno, Venice and Torino. “The continued interest is very encouraging and serves as a platform for the residents to maintain the momentum towards getting their films made. We have structured Realness in a very holistic and strategic way, engaging with heavy-weight partners and advisors in developing the framework for the programme. It is rewarding to see the genuine interest in developing synergy between African cinema and the rest of the world.”

Amirah Tajdin said “Realness made me realize that…time and space really does make all the difference during script writing.” Wim Steytler said that Realness gave him the courage to “throw my script and 8 months of work into the bin. I gained important insights into how to take my story from decent to good. After Realness my goal is to take the project from good to great.”

Realness is proud to announce that the partnerships established in 2016 will continue into the second edition, which means that the 2017 residents will also have the opportunity to further develop their projects through the awards offered by the Durban FilmMart, Locarno Filmmakers Academy, Torino Film Lab, Midpoint, EAVE and La Fabrique des Cinema du Monde.

The submission window opens on 28 November 2016 and closes on 31 January 2017:

Applicants must submit ONE PDF dossier containing:

• a motivation for wanting to participate in REALNESS (1 page)

• a synopsis of the proposed feature project (1 page)

• a narrative treatment of the proposed feature project (6 pages)

• a draft of the screenplay (if available)

• a writer's note of intention (1 page)

• a short biography (1 paragraph)

• two links to samples of previously produced work, uploaded to vimeo. If selected, residents will be required to donate one copy of their previous work to the Nirox film library.

The call is open to screenwriters from across the African continent and selection will be based on artistic merit. REALNESS will hold no legal claim over the work once the residency is completed.

All submitted material must be in English. A committee appointed by the Realness team and their partners will read the project entries and conduct interviews with a shortlist of candidates in April. The REALNESS selection will be announced at an event hosted by the pavilion Les Cinemas du Monde in Cannes, 2017.

Dossiers must be submitted to realness@urucumedia.com. For further information and to download the application form go to www.urucumedia.com/realness.

Necktie Youth Wins Best SA Film & Best Director at DIFF

NECKTIE YOUTH WINS BEST SOUTH AFRICAN FILM AND BEST DIRECTOR AWARDS IN DURBAN

Urucu Media's hugely anticipated drama Necktie Youth walked away with top honours at the Durban International Film Festival on Saturday night, winning both the best South African feature award and the international jury award for best director for director Sibs Shongwe-La Mer.

Said the jury in their report on Necktie Youth: “a film desperate to reconcile the seemingly disparate realities of its country, and whose urgent questions about South African life are posed with such mischievous energy that they cannot help provoke debate, itself one of the most important responsibilities of cinema.”

The international jury commented that newcomer Shongwe-La Mer (who has recently been signed by top international agents LBI and Casroto) was awarded the best director accolade “for displaying a unique, contemporary voice weaving together poetic images and a striking view of South African youth with a boldness seldom seen in South African cinema.”

Necktie Youth, which follows the hedonistic antics of Johannesburg's affluent new-born generation, had a successful career before it's South African debut, selling out all festival screenings at its world premier at Berlinale International Film Festival as well as Tribeca and Sydney International Film Festivals. Cineuropa named it best in show at Berlinale and the film went on to gather rave reviews in Variety, IndieWire, Elle, The New York Times, Le Monde and Dazed & Confused who called it the "South African Kids", a comparison to Larry Clark's 1995 cult classic.

SterKinekor has confirmed the South African release of Necktie Youth on the 18th of September and Urucu is in advanced negotiations with M-Net for the TV broadcast.

The week has been a busy one for producers Elias Ribeiro and John Trengove from Urucu Media who also announced REALNESS, a pan-African screenwriter's residency that will launch in 2016. “We are very excited to have the backing of the French Institute and Durban FilmMart for this initiative. The aim of REALNESS is to nurture a new crop of talented African film writers by offering them a 3 month incubation to develop their feature scripts". These projects will be presented to a jury and independent producers at Durban FilmMart 2016.

As part of their commitment to bringing more quality art-house films from across the world to South African screens, Urucu has started a partnership with Cannes' La Semaine de la Critique competition (Critics Week). This year, five diverse films from the competition had screenings in Durban, with one of the directors, Boris Lojkine (Hope) travelling to Durban to conduct a masterclass with local filmmakers. The five films will go on to have limited runs this weekend (31st August - 2nd September) in Johannesburg's Rosebank Cinema Nouveau and in Cape Town's W&A Waterfront Cinema Nouveau. La Semaine de La Critique are responsible for launching the careers of such giants in the art film world as Ken Loach, Won Kar Wai and Alejandro Gonzales Iñaritu (Birdman).

Urucu's next feature film slated for production is The Wound the highly anticipated first feature by John Trengove. The film, which deals with a gay teenager who undergoes the Xhosa circumcision initiation ritual, has collected several development and production awards from French broadcaster Arte, Torino Film Lab, the Hamburg Regional Fund and Hubert Bals in Holland. The film, which is slated to start shooting later this year and has been denied support from the NFVF despite the fact World Sales Agent Pyramide believes so much in the festival and market potential of the film that they are also investing in the film with a Distribution Minimum Guarantee. Urucu is currently seeking local private equity investment to close it's financing.

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The Shore Break takes two awards at Durban International Film Festival

The Shore Break takes two awards at Durban International Film Festival

Multi award-winning documentary, The Shore Break, about the proposed titanium mine on the Wild Coast, garnered an additional two awards to its already impressive resume, at this year’s Durban International Film Festival.

The Shore Break won the Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award and The DIFF Audience Award 

The Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award for the film that best reflects human rights issues which comes with a cash prize of R10 000 donated by the Artists for the Human Rights Trust went to The Shore Break, directed by Ryley Grunenwald. The jury citation reads “The film powerfully portrays a struggle within a local community regarding foreign mining rights in a pristine environment…(and) concisely and movingly uncovers this complex and urgent matter, which is still under investigation and in need of public support.”

All festival goers are given a DIFF voting slip after every screening to ascertain which film the audiences appreciated the most. Out of a total of 202 films (features, docs, shorts), this year the DIFF Audience Award went to The Shore Break.

"To have been voted as 'Best' by the DIFF audience, who I have always loved because they are loyal, diverse and exacting, is a real honour and a privilege," enthuses co-producer Odette Geldenhuys.

“Ultimately we make films for the audience so it is incredibly rewarding to have won another Audience Choice Award. We are so happy that the jury selected The Shore Break for the Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award. Representatives from the community affected by the N2 Wild Coast Toll Road and the Xolobeni Mineral Sands Project have said that it will certainly help their cause that their struggle is indeed being recognized as a human rights issue”, said director Ryley Grunenwald.

The Shore Break is an award-winning film that unpacks the dilemma faced by a rural community on South Africa’s Wild Coast as to whether to support or resist a proposed titanium mining project that could fundamentally change their lives forever.

Directed by Ryley Grunenwald, The Shore Break was a selected project at the 2012 Durban FilmMart, the IDFA WorldView Summer School 2013, the Hot Docs Forum 2012 and the Hot Docs Dealmakers 2013. It is co-produced by two South African companies, Grunenwald’s Johannebsurg-based Marie-Vérité Films and Odette Geldenhuys’ Cape Town-based frank films. It was incompetition at the recent International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IFDA), and was named the Best Feature Length Documentary at the 2015 International Environmental Film Festival (FIFE) in Paris.

The issues raised in the film have become more urgent following the announcement of the Wild Coast Toll Road which has been given the go-ahead following a statement by Minister Nkwinti on 9 July. It is the belief of many community stakeholders that this announcement is a pre-cursor to the introduction of mining in the area.  

For more information go to www.theshorebreakmovie.com

Trailer: http://vimeo.com/102621491

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theshorebreakmovie

Twitter: http://twitter.com/theshorebreak

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Digital stills, EPK and links to articles and reviews are available online: http://theshorebreakmovie.com/press/

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Dear Mandela tours to informal settlement communities - April 30 - May 25, 2015

Award-winning film tours to informal settlement communities

April 30 - 25 May 2015

Dear Mandela, the multi award-winning documentary film, directed by Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza, will be screened in informal settlement communities on a national tour, to help highlight human rights issues and inform and educate people about their rights.

The film, which premiered at the Durban International Film Festival in 2011, follows the journey of three friends living in Durban's vast shantytowns who refuse to be moved from their shacks after the South African government begins to evict of shack dwellers in an endeavor to 'eradicate the slums'. From their humble homes, the three take their pleas to the highest court in the land as they invoke Nelson Mandela's example and become leaders in a growing social movement, known as Abahlali baseMjondolo. The film is at once inspiring, devastating and funny, offering a new perspective on the role that young people can play in political change and is a fascinating portrait of South Africa coming of age.

Winner of multiple awards, including Best South African Documentary at the Durban International Film Festival and a nomination for Best Documentary at the African Academy Awards, Dear Mandela has screened in 35 countries and been translated into 10 languages.

The national tour, is being launched at the Constitutional Court on Thursday, 30 April, with remarks by Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Dikgang Moseneke and a post-screening panel discussion and Q&A session with Justice Zak Yacoob, Abahlali baseMjondolo Founding President, S’bu Zikode and Youth Leader, Mazwi Nzimande. Thereafter will be screened in communities in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg facing similar challenges as those faced by the members of the Abahlali movement. Each screening of the tour will be followed by a Q&A and debate with AbM Founding President, S'bu Zikode and Youth Leader, Mazwi Nzimande. Both leaders have been directly affected by the wave of state repression. As documented in the film, S’bu’s family home at the Kennedy Road Informal Settlement was destroyed by ANC party loyalists in September 2009 and they were forced into hiding after repeated public death threats against him. They are currently back in hiding after more death threats, some coming from leaders in Durban. For the audience, the campaign presents an opportunity for these communities to engage with, and learn from, the issues raised and struggles depicted in the film.

The tour will also include accompanying workshops for community leaders, run by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI). Funded by the Ford Foundation, the project hopes to build a platform to connect the struggles of grassroots social movements and community based organizations, to equip these organizations with the necessary knowledge about their legal rights, and encourage them to partake in bringing about social change in their immediate environment.

“Ensuring that marginalised communities are trained and versed in their legal rights would mean that illegal evictions would be substantially curbed. Legal training and knowledge transfer would also result in pro-active community-driven claims to socio-economic entitlements, thereby enabling these communities to participate in the discourses of delivery from a legally secure position.” says Dara Kell. “The screening tour brings together community members and activists from all over South Africa to discuss forced evictions here, and around the world, connecting those at risk of forced eviction around the globe, and strengthening social movements working toward the right to adequate housing and dignity for all.”

Screenings are as follows:

Thursday, April 30: Launch at the Constitutional Court, Johannesburg, 18:00

Saturday, May 2: Workshop and Screening -  Masakane or Zandspruit Primary School (TBC) Zandspruit, Johannesburg

Sunday, May 3 Workshop and Screening - Evaton Community Centre, Evaton, Johannesburg

Saturday, May 9: Screening - Hindu Surat Foundation, 137 Dr Goonham Street, Durban CBD

Sunday, May 10: Screening - Silver City Community Hall, Umlazi Township, Durban

Saturday, May 16: Workshop and Screening -  Green Point Hall, Khayelitsha, Cape Town

Sunday, May 17: Workshop and Screening -  Community Hall, Sweet Home Farm, Phillipi, Cape Town

For more information and times, follow the tour on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Tumblr. (@dearmandela)

All screening information at: http://dearmandela.tumblr.com/ NOTE THIS URL TO BE UPDATED

This project is supported by the Sundance Institute, the Ford Foundation and Chicken & Egg Pictures. Sleeping Giant is a documentary and new media production company based in New York.

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More about the film

Watch the trailer in English: https://vimeo.com/26538549

What the critics said:

VARIETY: “Stirring…evocatively shot, lucidly edited.”

"GRIPPING, eye-opening…a call to action as much as it is an indictment of a government that has lost its way" - Charl Blignaut, City Press

"ENTHRALLING" - Mahala Magazine

"Leaves us with questions few have dared to ask about the new South Africa" - Marie Huchzermeyer, author of Cities With 'Slums'

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AFDA to Host Holiday Workshop

AFDA TO HOST WORKSHOP IN JULY

AFDA (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance) Durban will host a Holiday Workshop on Thursday, July 3 from 08:30 to 16:30 at the campus in Glen Anil. This is an oportunity for young people thinking about their careers to experience what a day would be like in the film, television and entertainment industry. The workshop is open to Grade 11 and 12’s or those who have recently matriculated.

The prospective students will get a sneak preview of how to acquire skills that are necessary to create great entertainment products in performance, film and television. This will be done through various masterclasses where participants will be given the opportunity to experience how to conceptualise a scene from a movie or TV show and then go about actually shooting a scene.

The AFDA Campus boasts an experienced line up of academic staff drawn from the film and live performance industries who will host the workshop.

Participants need to book their place and this works on a first come first serve basis. There is a nominal fee of R60 for the day which includes a light lunch. 

AFDA will also host an Interview Day the day before the workshop on Wednesday, July 2. This is an opportunity for prospective students to meet one on one with AFDA staff to discuss any queries they may have in detail, as well as get more information on the Undergraduate degree in Motion Picture Medium or Live Performance.

Prospective students can contact Milena or Purity at the Durban campus for more information and to make a booking. (puritys@afda.co.za / 031 569 2252). For more info about the school go to AFDA Durban on Facebook, @AFDADurban on Twitter or visit www.afda.co.za .

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Talents Durban at 35th Durban International Film Festival

Durban, South Africa: The 35th Durban International Film Festival (July 17 to 27) is proud to present the 7th edition of Talents Durban (formerly named Talent Campus Durban) – a skills sharing, development and networking platform or emerging filmmakers from Africa. Talents Durban is presented in collaboration with the Berlinale Talents programme of the Berlinale Film Festival with support from the KZN Film Commission, German Embassy, Goethe Institute and Gauteng Film Commission. Talents Durban, along with the Durban FilmMart (which is a co-production between DIFF and the Durban Film Office) forms part of the Durban International Film Festival Industry Programme.

40 filmmakers from 10 countries across the continent including South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Madagascar, Tunisia and Namibia will be in attendance. The programme consists of master classes, in depth discussions with critically acclaimed film professionals from across the globe, hands-on training programme as well as networking opportunities for selected participants.

Master Classes
Talents Durban participants will be able to participate in a co-production master class with French producer Denis Vaslin. Vaslin is a producer of documentary and fiction, and his titles include 40 Days of Silence, Solo, The World Belongs to Us, The Hum of Holland and Snackbar. He heads up a Dutch production company Voyla Films and co-owns a French production company Madra Films.

Australian documentary development expert, Julia Overton will present a Documentary Finance master class on Documentary Financing. Overton is a Development and Investment Manager at Screen Australia where she is instrumental in assisting filmmakers with getting their projects produced with local or international support. Overton has been involved in the development of several critically acclaimed films including The Snowman, A Good Man, Forbidden Lies, First Australians, Contact and Salt.

Talents Durban participants will also have access to a master class with pitch expert Stefano Teadly, a South African-born, Italy-based producer, director and pitch expert. Teadly has produced and directed numerous films including A World of Pasta, Doctor Ice, Coffee Please and Tea for All and the series Food Markets - In the Belly of the City. Recent works produced include Mostar United, Vinylmania and Char, No Man’s Island.  Teadly is a graduate of the EAVE programme and director of the Italian workshop, Documentary in Europe, has chaired EDN and is a national coordinator for INPUT. He also tutors film development and production at numerous universities and organizations including ; Biennale Cinema College, Cannes Film Market, Films de 3 Continents – Produire au Sud, Media Business School,Med Film Factory, Scuola Holden, TFL-Torino Film Lab, ZELIG Film School.

The above master classes will also be open to Durban FilmMart delegates.

Talents Durban will also feature a hands-on training programme including Doc Station, Script Station and Talent Press. 

Doc Station selects three documentary projects in development for coaching and mentoring towards participation in a public pitch at the DFM’s pitching forum – The African Pitch. Participants are given mentoring prior to the pitch and during preparations at the festival. After the pitch they are given advice from mentors on how to proceed with their projects.
Script Station is a script development programme for short films which pairs four participants with script editors who assist in clarifying story and getting to an advanced draft of their script. 

Talent Press is presented in cooperation with Fipresci, an association of national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world which lobbies for the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of professional interests. The programme invites four critics to cover the films and events of the Durban International Film Festival for online and print publication.

The following are the selected participants of the Talents Durban:
Susan Wanjiru (KENYA), Christiaan Kritzinger (SOUTH AFRICA), Timoteo Edzeani Doh (GHANA), Donovan Orr (SOUTH AFRICA), Alexander Melck (SOUTH AFRICA), Jozua Malherbe (SOUTH AFRICA), Bahaaeldin Elgamal (EGYPT), Frances Bodomo (GHANA), Shane Vermooten (SOUTH AFRICA) Abdellatif Amajgag (MOROCCO), Mohamed Siam (EGYPT), She Mulinya (KENYA), Harold Holscher (SOUTH AFRICA), Udoka Oyeka (NIGERIA), James Walsh (SOUTH AFRICA), Diana Keam (SOUTH AFRICA), Willem Grobler (SOUTH AFRICA), Francis William Nicholson (SOUTH AFRICA), Zolani Ndevu (SOUTH AFRICA), Roger Young (SOUTH AFRICA), Sitraka Randriamahaly (MADAGASCAR), Fatma Azibi (TUNISIA), Perivi John Katjavivi (NAMIBIA), Manqoba  Nkosi (SOUTH AFRICA), Miklas Simeon Manneke (SOUTH AFRICA), Aidan Whytock (SOUTH AFRICA), Mustafa Aiman (EGYPT), Henok Birhanu (ETHIOPIA), Ofonime Inyang (SOUTH AFRICA), Terhemen  Agbedeh (NIGERIA), Monica Obaga (KENYA), Oribhabor Kelvin Aigbokhaevbolo (NIGERIA), Saskia  Schiel (SOUTH AFRICA), Morokwe Kaizer Mokgobu Mokgobu (SOUTH AFRICA), Ntuthuko Qwabe (SOUTH AFRICA), Caroline Doherty (SOUTH AFRICA), Mark Middlewick (SOUTH AFRICA), Kulanen Ikyo (NIGERIA), Penelope  Tshilwane (SOUTH AFRICA), Marcus  Hebbelmann (SOUTH AFRICA), Emma Bestall (SOUTH AFRICA)
 
“The Durban International Film Festival welcomes these filmmakers to the Industry Programme and are proud to present them as the future of African Cinema,” says DIFF festival manager Peter Machen, “The diversity of voices in this selection echoes the theme of this year’s Talents Durban – Continent of Contrasts/de Contraste – inspired by a revered elder of African cinema Djibril Diop Mambéty whose 1968 short films was entitled Contras’city (City of Contrasts). We hope this crop of Talents at DIFF will follow in the footsteps of giants of African cinema.”
Talents Durban takes place on 18-22 July within the DIFF Industry Hub at Elangeni Hotel on the Durban beach front.

Talents Durban is produced by the Durban International Film Festival and Berlinale Talents, and is supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, German Embassy in South Africa and the Goethe-Institut South Africa and Gauteng Film Commission.

The 35th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (a special project of the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Humanities, Cheryl Potgieter) with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development & Tourism, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, City of Durban, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, Industrial Development Corporation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and a range of other valued partners.

For more information go to www.durbanfilmfestival.co.za

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Wild Talk Africa Showcases Best of Environmental and Wildlife Films at DIFF

Durban, South Africa: For the second year running, Durban Wild Talk Africa will showcase a selection of both local and international natural history films during nine slots at this year’s 35th Durban International Film Festival which runs from 17 – 27 July 2014.

Durban Wild Talk Africa Film Festival now in its 9th year, brings a world-class television market and natural history conference to South Africa every two years.  After the success of last year’s conference at DIFF, Durban Wild Talk Africa will again present a programme of nature films that are fast becoming a firm favourite in the festival’s diverse line up.  This year, the strand once again offers entertaining and enlightening viewing for nature enthusiasts, animal-lovers, adrenalin junkies and environmentalists alike. 

Some not-to-be-missed films include:

 “Unearthed” – a shocking insight into the world of hydraulic fracking through the journey of a young South African journalist who starts asking questions when the fracking industry arrives in her hometown in the Karoo. Her questions take her into the dark underbelly of America’s gas industry. 

“Black Mamba: Kiss of Death” - Spend an hour in the life of the most feared snake in Africa, witnessing the most intimate moments of its life and predatory attacks right here in Kwa-Zulu Natal. 

“Birdman Chronicles” - Launch into the adrenalin-charged world of wingsuit flying; revealing the beautiful freedom found in this sport, as well as the constant presence of potential tragedy. 

“DamNation” - With over 75,000 dams built in America after the Great Depression; this epic documentary odyssey explores the changing opinions towards dams, and witnesses the extent that some will go to answer the question , “Why have we damned up our rivers?’

“Expedition to the End of the World” On a three-mast schooner packed with artists, scientists and ambitions worthy of Noah or Columbus, we set off for the end of the world: the rapidly melting massifs of North-East Greenland.

Other films in this strand include the award-winning Iranian astronaut-inspired “Sepideh”, Liz Marshall’s photographic revelation into the commodification of animals in “The Ghosts in our Machines”, an artistic voyage into water in “Watermark” and the world premier of “Lady Baboon”- chronicling the life of a woman who single handedly started the controversial baboon conservation movement in South Africa and who is often described as “the unknown Jane Goodall.”

The partnership between Durban Wild Talk Africa and Durban International Film Festival is part of the City of Durban’s vision to position the city as Africa’s primary destination for film markets and festivals.

For more information about Wild Talk Africa contact shani@wildtalkafrica.com or call 021 422 0023, or visit www.durbanfilmfest.co.za for screening information and updates.

The 35th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (a special project of the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Humanities, Cheryl Potgieter) with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development & Tourism, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, City of Durban, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, Industrial Development Corporation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and a range of other valued partners.

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AFDA Durban Open Day Saturday, 8 March

Prospective film students and their parents are invited to the AFDA Open Day  at the Durban Campus in 2A Highdale Road, Glen Anil on Saturday, 8 March.

The AFDA Durban Campus which recently saw an upgrade to its facilities and technical equipment to the value of R 1, 2 Million, currently offers an Undergraduate BA Degree in Motion Picture Medium or Live Performance with specializations offered under the Film, TV and Performance Schools. The Open Day presentation begins at 10am and will be followed by tours and demonstrations within each of the schools within the campus.

AFDA Durban Campus Dean, Mr Franco Human and AFDA Chairman, Mr Garth Holmes will begin the day with an overview of the degree course followed by Heads of schools and lecturers demonstrating further details of the areas of specialization offered within the degree course.

For students who wish to apply for next year, the campus will also have dedicated online application stations available to apply at for the Undergraduate Degree on the day. Current AFDA Durban Campus students will be on hand to assist in the applications of prospective students. For interviews with any of the AFDA Durban Campus lecturers, Dean or AFDA Chairman Mr Garth Holmes, contact Milena Gevers on (031) 569-2252 or e-mail milenag@afda.co.za or dbncampus@afda.co.za

AFDA Durban Campus’ New Faces

New faces join the AFDA Durban Campus this year to bolster the already impressive lecturing line up with a mixture of experience and youth.

Respected and well-known television personality Carmen Langston Mitchell joins the Durban team with a wealth of experience and will be lecturing and mentoring first and second year television students. Langston Mitchell has an impressive career in the media industry, having worked locally and internationally as a producer, director, scriptwriter and presenter for programmes including “Top Billing” on SABC 3, “The Cosmo Show” and “Carte Blanche” on M-Net, “60 minutes”, BBC’s “Changing Rooms”, BBC’s “Newsround” and “BBC World News”. She also worked as a social editor and features writer for Style Magazine and was the celebrity lifestyle columnist for Media 24’s YOU Magazine.

Former AFDA Cape Town Campus student, Ashleigh Hart who obtained an AFDA Bachelor of Arts Honours in Motion Picture Medium joins the Screen Design Department in the school of film as Costume, Make Up and Styling & Production Design Lecturer. Ashleigh recently won Gold at the AFDA 2013 Awards for Costume, Make-up and Styling for the film The Other Woman (an Honours Graduation Film) directed by former AFDA Cape Town Campus student Thea Small as well as Best Postgraduate Film and the Critics Choice Award. During postgraduate year at AFDA she also worked on the feature film Die Windpomp, as well as a Ster-Kinekor Vision Mission commercial.

New Marketing Assistant, Purity Shezi-Magaya joins the Marketing Department headed by Milena Gevers at the AFDA Durban Campus. Having graduated with a National Diploma in Marketing Management, Purity comes with a bag of experience having worked with the Vodacom KZN Regional offices and working with various brands at The Creative Council promotions agency.

Franco Human, Dean of the AFDA Durban Campus commented “We welcome the new staff to the Durban Campus. I am sure that they will add much value to their respective departments. It’s our second year since our opening of this campus and we look forward to adding to the benchmark set by our first intake of students.”

Registration for AFDA Durban is open till Friday, 07 February. For registration details and general information call (031) 569-2252 or e-mail milenag@afda.co.za.

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AFDA Film School at the Witness Hilton Arts Festival

AFDA Durban Campus, The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance will be at this year’s Witness Hilton Arts Festival hosting two workshops aimed at scholars from grade 10 to 12 to help them make decisions about a possible career in the film industry on Friday, 13 September at 10:30am and at 13:00pm with a repeat of the 13:00pm workshop on Saturday, 14th and Sunday, 15th both at 12:30pm.

Richard Green, the head of film school at the AFDA Durban Campus will be hosting one of the two workshops on Friday, 13 September at 10:30am titled “Directing and Shooting a Film”. Having studied at the London International Film School from 1977 to 1979, Richard Green comes with loads of experience and expertise having worked as a cameraman, production manager, 1st director, director and producer. Richard has been involved in numerous well known films such as Sara Blecher’s award winning film ‘Otelo Burning’, Donovan Marsh’s novel based film ‘Spud’, ‘District 9’ and Anant Singh’s ‘Long Walk To Freedom’ which is currently in post production along with other award winning films that he has personally directed and produced through his company Richard Green and Associates.

AFDA Alumni and Durban Campus Lecturer, Amy Barns will host the second workshop on Friday, 13 September at 13:00pm titled “Performance for the stage VS performance for the Screen”. Local Actress Amy Barns has a huge passion for acting and her documentary style Honours film 'The Brave Unseen' (2012) recently received the ‘Best South African Short Film’ award at the 34th Durban International Film Festival.

Prospective students for the New Year are also welcome to meet and engage with the lecturers and staff of the film, television and performance school about enrolling into one of the degree courses offered at AFDA. For parents and students looking to book an interview with the lecturers of the campus they can e-mail Milena Gevers on milenag@afda.co.za or contact her on (+27) (031) 569-2252.

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Film & Publication Board Refuses Classification to DIFF opening night film - Of Good Report

MEDIA RELEASE

OPENING NIGHT FILM OF THE DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL REFUSED SCREENING BY THE FILM AND PUBLICATION BOARD

Durban: South Africa: July 18, 2013: The opening night film of the 34th Durban International Film Festival, the much-anticipated film noir Of Good Report, directed by Jahmil XT Qubeka was refused classification by the Film and Publication Board, and as such the festival was unable to screen it.

Instead of the opening credits the following words were displayed on the screen: “This film has been refused classification by the Film and Publication Board, in terms of the Film and Publications Act of 1996, unfortunately we may not legally screen the film, Of Good Report, as doing so would constitute a criminal offence.”

The film tells the sombre tale of a small-town high-school teacher with a penchant for young girls. The result is an hypnotically engaging journey into the soul of a mentally troubled man. The trouble for the protagonist, Parker Sithole begins when he meets the undeniably gorgeous Nolitha Ngubane at a local tavern. Captivated by her beauty, an illicit affair ensues. However, there’s just one problem: Nolitha is one of Parker’s pupils and is just sixteen years older. Parker quickly spirals into lethal obsession.

The manager of the film festival, Peter Machen gave this statement: “Unfortunately, the film and publication board has refused to allow the release of Of Good Report. According to their communication to the festival, the film contains a scene which constitutes child pornography and we are unable to legally show the film. I am very sorry about this. Out of respect for the director of the film, we will not be showing an alternative film tonight.”

“We chose the film because it was challenging, powerful and artistically successful, and particularly because it was such a strong expression of an individual voice .” said Machen. “It presents a story of a very real and troubling social problem of rampant abuse of position in our country.”

Qubeka, who had taped his mouth shut, chose not to comment as an act of defiance, instead his wife, Dr Lwazi Manzi spoke on his behalf, describing the horrors of abused young women by older men that she encounters daily as a doctor at a government hospital. “Just because they (the FPB) don’t want to see it, does not mean it does not happen.” she said. “We shall not not talk about it. I am very proud of my husband, and the cast and crew. This is a pivotal day in the history of film in our country, one which will resonate in history.”

Professor Cheryl Potgieter, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities at UKZN, under whose curatorship the organisers of the Festival, The Centre for Creative Arts is a special project said. “We chose to not show another film in deference to the filmmaker, and to ensure there was critical mass to carry this debate and discourse forward.”

Qubeka and UKZN intend to appeal against the decision, failing which, the producer Mike Auret, himself a lawyer, will take it to the Constitutional Court. Auret said “It is not the function of state to moralise.”

The festival screenings of all other films, will continue as planned for the next nine days.  For more information about the DIFF go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za.

AFDA Johannesburg masters student makes headway at SA’s major festivals

AFDA Johannesburg masters student Tapiwa Chipfupa makes headway at SA’s major festivals

AFDA Johannesburg masters student Tapiwa Chipfupa, from Zimbabwe is staking her claim in the local and international film industry. Her film “The Bag on My Back” was recently screened at the Encounters Film Festival in Cape Town in June, and she has been selected as one of 40 participants in the 6th Talent Campus Durban at the Durban International Film Festival, which opens on July 18.

Chipfupa, a cum laude graduate from AFDA and a 2008 Mandela Rhodes Scholarship nominee, is currently completing her Masters Degree in Fine Arts in Motion Picture Medium at AFDA. As part of an exchange programme with Finland, she produced and co-directed two documentaries currently screening at festivals in Europe, and has won the Best Student Award at Tampere International Film Festival (2010). She pitched “The Bag on My Back” at Africadoc, securing sales in Europe and West Africa.

Well-known South African producer David Max Brown mentored Chipfupa through the production of the film, which is about her life in exile and the land issues in Zimbabwe as she followed her parents from farm to farm in the 80’s and 90’s until her outspoken father was retrenched from his job as a farm manager. 

“I am really please that this film is getting so much attention,” says Chipfupa. “It was really encouraging to have had David’s guidance, and I have learnt so much in the process. As far as Talent Campus is concerned, I am really looking forward to being in Durban, as I have heard such great things about it from the opportunities to gather information and expert knowledge and networking with peers from across the continent to meeting film-makers from around the globe who are top of their game. And of course seeing so many brilliant films, we would not usually be able to access.”

For more information contact Mandy Day, office 27 21 448 7600, mobile 071 473 6412 or go on www.afda.co.za.

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