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SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament

SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament

St Mary’s DSG and Thomas More College: Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July

Durban Girls’ College made it three in a row as they claimed the title for the 2015 SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament in convincing fashion at St Mary’s DSG on the weekend.

College met Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High in the gold/silver final where the defending champions hammered in four goals, making it an impressive consecutive trio of golds in the five years of the tournament. Girls’ High entered the medal game as the “in-form” team but nerves seemed to get the better of them.

The tall, impressive forward Teagan McFall playing for College proved to be a slippery customer for the Girls’ High back line as she managed to shake the defence off and score two spectacular goals. The second shot, a reverse stick sweep, rocketed into the top corner of GHS’s net.

Captain for College, Kelsey Scott said, “We have been working hard for a while in preparation for the SPAR tournament. It was a bit of a shock to us where we drew in two of our pool games but that only made us more determined for today. We were extremely focused and pulled together to work as a solid unit when it counted against Girls’ High.”

The road to the 2015 finals for College had a bit of a bumpy start with a 1 all draw against a young and spirited King Edward High School team. And then in a classic Durban derby against rivals St Mary’s DSG in their second last pool game ended in a 2 all draw in a highly competitive, riveting game in the pouring rain at Thomas More College. 

The team from Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High were the most consistent out of all the competitors with five games played, 14 goals scored and no goals conceded. In their semi-final against home team, St Mary’s DSG, Girls’ High Katie Corf slotted the goal that counted in a game dominated by the visitors.

Lead by SA Women’s Indoor Hockey star, Taryn de Winnaar, Girls’ High resumed their unfortunate streak of always being the bridesmaid and never the bride, being awarded their fifth medal in the five years of the tournament.  This is their third silver they have won, to add to that they have two bronzes in their trophy cabinet.

MD for SPAR, Rob Philipson stated, “The welcomed torrential rain did not dampen the spirits of all the teams who took part. In freezing conditions, the girls took to the pitch with smiles on their faces as they valiantly represented their schools and their regions. It was heartening to see the eagerness that each of the teams displayed as they tackled each game during the tournament. Congratulations to each and every one of them.”

For the third position, it was a battle of the Saints with St Anne’s College managing to get two goals beating St Mary’s DSG in a hard fought game for the bronze. Both these teams have won previously and both team had similar results leading up to the bronze medal game.

Tournament Director, Les Galloway said, “Our tournament just keeps getting better and better. We really acknowledge the effort and energy that all the players put into their games to make this final weekend a success. We also acknowledge and thank all the coaches and managers who stand on the side-lines, endlessly supporting and guiding their teams, the superb commitment of the umpires, and the parents who spend countless hours making it possible for their girls to play.” 

Results

1 Durban Girls’ College, 2 Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High, 3 St Anne’s College, 4 St Mary’s DSG, 5 Ferrum HS, 6 Wartburg Kirchdorf, 7 Ashton International College, 8 King Edward HS, 9 Empangeni HS, 10 Amanzimtoti HS

 

Sunday Play-Offs

King Edward HS 1 Ferrum HS 2

Wartburg Kirchdorf School 1 Ashton  International College 0

Pietermaritzburg HS 1 v St Mary’s DSG 0 

Durban Girls College 2 St. Anne’s College 0

Match for 9/10: Empangeni HS 2 Amanzimtoti HS 0

Match for 7/8: Ashton International College 0 (Ashton won 3-1 on penalties) King Edward HS 0

Match for 5/6: Ferrum HS 1 Wartburg Kirchdorf 0

Match for 3/4: St Anne’s 2 St Mary’s DSG 0

Final: Durban Girls’ College 4 Pietermaritzburg Girls High 0

 

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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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Durban International Film Festival Announces Award Winners for 2015

Durban International Film Festival Announces Award Winners for 2015

The Durban International Film Festival announced its award-winners tonight (July 25) at the closing ceremony of the festival’s 36th edition at the Suncoast Cinecentre, prior to the screening of the closing film, The Prophet directed by Roger Allers. The festival officially closes tomorrow (Sunday) evening after a successful ten days of 255 screenings at 13 venues around the City of Durban, with many sold out houses.

The international jury this year was led by former Manager of the DIFF and current Director of the Sydney Film Festival, Nashen Moodley and included prolific and award-winning South African filmmaker Robbie Thorpe, South African producer of numerous award-winning films who sits on the advisory panel for NFVF, Moroba Nkawe and award-winning Nigerian filmmaker, Newton Aduaka.

The South African feature film jury consisted of film-makers Lizelle Bischoff, Thandeka Zwana and Jenna Cato Bass while the documentary jurors were film-makers Annalet Steenkamp and Sylvia Vollenhoven and the short film jurors were film-makers Darryl Els, Zandi Tisani and Terrence Dalisu Ngobese.

The award for the Best Feature Film, which carries a R50 000 cash prize from the DIFF went to Sunrise directed by Partho Sen-Gupta. The film was described by the jury as “an uncompromising, brilliantly-crafted film that takes us through a fragmented mind, into a shady world allowing us to enter the reality of Mumbai’s underbelly”.

The award for Best South African Feature Film, which carries a prize of R25 000 courtesy of Film Finances SA, went to Necktie Youth directed by Sibs Shongwe-La Mer, described by the jury as “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.”

Shongwe La-Mer also won the award for Best Direction, for Necktie Youth, “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.”

The Best Documentary and Best SA Documentary awards which carries a prize of R25 000 each in cash, courtesy of the National Film and Video Foundation went to Beats of the Antonov directed by Hajooj Kuka and The Dream of the Shahrazad directed by Francois Verster, respectively. The jury awarded Beats of the Antonov “for its story, characters, relevance and visual interpretation,” and for a “story told with grace, while honouring the integrity of the people who gave them access as well as the subject matter.”

The Dream of the Shahrazad was awarded for the way in which “the filmmakers pushed themselves beyond their comfort zone, taking mythology and bringing it into the centre of modernity,” and for being “an ambitious film..(that) addresses life post revolution and what is left after heartbreak.”

Didier Michon for his charismatic and captivating performance in Fevers directed by Hicham Ayouch received the Best Actor Award of R20 000 in cash from the KwaZulu–Natal Film Commission.

The award for Best Actress, who also received R20 000 in cash from the KwaZulu–Natal Film Commission, went to Anissa Daoud for her portrayal of a determined activist who takes a stand, in an important film Tunisian Spring directed by Raja Amari.

Best African Short Film award went to The Aftermath of the Inauguration of the Public Toilet at Kilometre 375 directed by Omar el Zohairy., which won R20 000 courtesy of the Gauteng Film Commission. The jury described this as an “exceptional film explores and pushes new avenues in political satire and the cinema.” 

Unomalanga and The Witch directed by Palesa Shongwe, and cited by the jury as “a gentle and unexpected film (that) sheds light on the subtleties of relationships between women”, won the Best South African Short Film award also receiving R20 000 courtesy of the Gauteng Film Commission.

A new award, the Production Merit Award, sponsored by Hollard carries a R25 000 cash prize and goes to Rights of Passage directed by Ntombizodwa Magagula, Mapula Sibanda, Lerato Moloi, Valencia Joshua, Zandile Angeline Wardle, Tony Miyambo, Rethabile Mothobi, Yashvir Bagwandeen.

Sabrina Compeyron and David Constantin, won the Best Screenplay Award for “craftily tracking the age-old struggle between capital and labour spanning the end of industry and the disenfranchisement of a society” in Sugar Cane Shadows directed by David Constantin.

Jean-Marc Ferriere, took the honours for Best Cinematography “for creating a distinctive, atmospheric, highly-crafted and visually dynamic world depicted almost entirely in the dark”, in Sunrise directed by Partho Sen-Gupta.

Special Mention for Direction was made of Kivu Ruhorahoza for Things Of The Aimless Wanderer, “for a courageous and single-minded attempt by a director harnessing all means at his disposal to tell a personal, intricate and political story.”

A Special Mention for Best Film was given to Tunisian Spring by Raja Amari, “for it’s powerful depiction of an event that has, and continues to have, resonance in the world.”

Democrats directed by Camilla Nielsson, got a Special Mention for a Documentary, which is “commended for putting a human face on a story that is complex and sometimes almost opaque.”

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.”

A further Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Honorary Award was given to The Look of Silence directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, a film that “bravely uncovers the genocide in Indonesia in the 1960’s.”

The jurors for these awards were Nonhlanhla Mkhize, Betty Rawheath, Professor Lindy Stiebel and Coral Vinsen, convener of the jury panel.

Arterial Network’s Artwatch Africa Award, for an African film that meaningfully engages with the issues of freedom of expression, went to Beats of the Antonov, directed by Hajooj Kuka, who was presented a cash prize of R15 000. The jury citation said  “This compelling film shows how the power of music, dancing and culture sustains the displaced people living in the remote war-ravaged areas of Southern Sudan.”

The Jury included Junaid Ahmed, Gcina Mhlophe, René Alicia Smith, and Peter Rorvik.

The DIFF Audience Award went to The Shore Break directed by Ryley Grunenwald.

For more information go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za for details of the remaining screenings.

 

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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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2015 Durban FilmMart Award winners

Media Release

2015 Durban FilmMart Award winners

After a packed four day programme of project pitching, industry masterclasses, seminars and workshops, and networking, the 6th Durban FilmMart (DFM) comes to a close with the announcing of the market awards and grants at the awards and closing function sponsored by Videovision Entertainment.

The DFM saw around 550 guests from 26 countries, 32 workshop and panel discussion sessions presented by various local and international industry experts and professionals.

“It has been an extremely productive and pleasing market this year, with over 900 official business meetings documented in the Finance Forum.” says Toni Monty, Head of the Durban Film Office, which partners with the DIFF to present the DFM. “The Durban FilmMart is considered one of Africa’s most important film finance platforms: this is borne out of the fact that we have been able to track the progress of many of the projects which had their beginnings at the market which have successfully made it to the screen. This year the Durban International Film Festival was able to screen six DFM alumni films, a concrete indication that this model is working well.”

“Once again we are honoured to have hosted this important film event, which brings together industry representatives from around the globe.” says Monty. “Besides the many levels of business that is conducted at this market, we are also proud to be able to showcase the City as a film destination on a global level to the hundreds of delegates attending.”

The closing night awards dinner sees key local and international partners of the annual co-production market, award a number of projects with development support through cash grants, invitations to partner markets or business support, to take the projects through the next stages of development.

This year 8 awards were made by an evaluation panel made up of local and international film industry experts. Recipients of the 2015 DFM awards are as follows:

The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program award for a documentary film project that demonstrates potential for strong storytelling craft, artistic use of visual language, originality, feasibility, and relevance went to The Other Half of The African Sky directed and produced by Tapiwa Chipfupa which receives a cash award of $7000 for further development.

Afridocs, the broadcast stream that sees African and other international documentaries screened across 49 countries of sub-Saharan Africa on a weekly basis, awarded a €3000 grant for an outstanding documentary project to Truck Mamadirected and produced by Zipporah Nyaruri and co-directed by Peggy Mbiyu.

The CineMart Award, sponsored by the co-production market of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, awarded the fiction project Sunflowers Behind a Dirty Fence directed by Simon Mukali and produced by Nathan Magoola, with an opportunity to attend the Rotterdam Lab, a five-day training and networking event bringing together producers from all over the world.

The International Documentary Film Festival of Amsterdam (IDFA) awarded the most promising documentary project at the DFM, Truck Mama directed and produced by Zipporah Nyaruri and co-directed by Peggy Mbiyu, with an opportunity to attend the  IDFA Forum, the largest and most influential meeting place for documentary filmmakers, producers, commissioning editors, funds, private financiers and other documentary stakeholders in Europe, from November 23 to 25.

The New Cinema Network awarded Riot Waif directed by Zinaid Meeran and produced by Jean Meeran an opportunity to attend the 10th edition NCN in Rome, where the producer/director will be able to present the project to film companies at an international level.

Produire au Sud of Festival des 3 Continents (Nantes), awarded the fiction project Inkabi "The Hitman" directed by Norman Maake and produced by Peter Pohorsky with an opportunity to attend its developmental workshop program, PAS, where they will be given tools, expertise, and opportunities to develop European networks.

The Restless Pitch awarded, a one-on-one consultation with Restless Talent Management co-founder Tendeka Matatu, to two projects: Brace Yourself by Thati Peele, and Lucky by Jacobus van Heerden. The company will provide development services such as image-building and positioning, project packaging, PR, and advice on film sales, distribution and promotion. Restless Talent Management also made a special mention of Mark Waambui forHeterophobe for an edgy and challenging concept.

Durban’s Videovision Entertainment, awarded the “Best South African Film Project” Inkabi “The Hit Man” directed by Norman Maake and produced by Peter Pohorsky a prize which guarantees the films release once it is completed. The prize includes marketing and distribution support from Videovision Entertainment and is valued at R75 000.

Five of these projects have emanated from film-makers that are either Durban- or Berlin Talents alumni – the industry development programme of the Berlin International Film Festival, with which DIFF is a partner. These are Tapiwa Chipfupa (The Other Half of the African Sky) - Talents Durban (2013) and Talents Berlin (2015); Truck Mama filmmakers - Zipporah Nyaruri – Talents Berlin and Talents Durban (2011) and Peggy Mbiyu Talents Durban (2011) and Talents Berlin (2012), Nathan Magoola (Sunflowers Behind a Dirty Fence) Talents Durban (2013) and Talents Berlin (2012) and Jacobus van Heerden (Lucky) Talents Durban (2013).

“We had a very strong line up of projects this year,” says Monty. “We were pleased with the diverse topics and themes that have been explored in both the fiction and documentary sections, and with strong representation of filmmakers collaborating across the continent. The DFM has been placing emphasis on the telling of African narratives, and in doing so hope to continue to discover new African projects.”

 “We have seen numerous filmmakers pitching projects at the DFM over the past 6 years go from strength to strength. They are engaging more confidently with the many financiers, funders, sales and distribution agents, showing a maturing of the market.”

“We would like to thank our new and old sponsors and partners who have supported the DFM. It is through their continued interest and support that we are able to assist African filmmakers develop the industry and access the local and international market.” says Monty.

For more information on the Durban FimMart visit www.durbanfilmmart.com

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Issued on behalf of the DFM by:

Sharlene Versfeld

Versfeld & Associates

083 326 3235

July 20, 2015

 

NOTE TO MEDIA 

We have individual images of the awardees - which we will email independently .

South African directors selected for the Cannes SA Film Factory

Media Release

South African directors selected for the Cannes SA Film Factory

Durban: 19th July 2015:

DW (France) and Zidaka (South Africa), in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), and the Cannes Quinzaine Directors Fortnight, are pleased to announce the selection of the four South African directors.

After a very positive response to the call, with more than 30 high quality submissions, a short list of 12 directors were invited to attend the final interviews, which took place in Durban on the 15th July.

The four South Africa directors selected are:

Sheetal Magan

Samantha Nell

Zamo Mkhwanazi

Zee Ntuli

Two of the directors are KZN born, and two are from Gauteng.

Cannes South African Film Factory will provide an opportunity for these four SA directors and four international directors, to collectively direct four short films, which will be produced in KZN, and then will be screened on the Opening Day of the Cannes Directors Fortnight / la Quinzaine, in the official Cannes program next year.

The workshop will commence on Tuesday 21st July through until 25th July, 2015, during the Durban International Film Festival.

The Factory enjoys exploring “new territories” of cinema... The South African cinema scene, which, in recent years, has often surprised us in major festivals, remains, however, little known in our hemisphere.  4 short films that will be soon directed by South African and international young filmmakers will enable the public of the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes to discover the unsuspected realities of South Africa. Known for its dramatic story and now, for its remarkable opportunities... We look forward to discover films that will be made and then screened in Cannes. Vive the SA Factory!" says Edouard Waintrop, Artistic Director of the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight section.

“This is the fourth Factory and, after Asia, Europe and South America, this is the 1st one in Africa.  I'm amazed by the high quality of the directors and it was heartbreaking to select only four ”, says Dominique Welinski curator and producer. 

Carol Coetzee KZN Film Commission CEO adds “These results are very exciting and mean we are definitely moving in the right direction towards a transformed and sustainable film industry. To have young talents and particularly women being exposed to such an opportunity is a milestone indeed.”

“We are happy to be associated with this project, which not only recognizes our local talent, but also create opportunities for our filmmakers to be the best directors, sharing their vision and talent with the rest of the world. As an enabler, we constantly seek ways of developing the youth and ensuring the growth of our general film industry; this process is aligned to this objective. Congratulations to all selected directors,” says NFVF CEO Zama Mkosi.

AFDA Durban has offered its facilities for production and postproduction. Media Film Services and Sound Surfers, Hollard Film Guarantors, the Durban International Film Festival and Cote Ouest Audiovisual and Institut Francais (South Africa) are all official partners.

Cannes South Africa Factory website:    www.zidaka.co.za.

On behalf of the NFVF, KZN Film Commission, Cannes Film Factory, DW and ZIDAKA.


Media Contact Person

Buhle Malunga                                                   

Manager: Marketing and Communications KZNFCF    

+27 60 974 9786                                                     

buhlem@kwazulunatalfilm.co.za                             

Twitter: @kwazulufilm                                          

                                                                                   

Naomi Mokhele

Manager: Communications  NFVF

+27 82 496 9324

naomim@nfvf.co.za

  Twitter: @filmfound

@IamNaomiM

Jyoti Mistry's grisly new thriller Impunity to screen at Durban Internationsl Film Festival

MEDIA RELEASE

JYOTI MISTRY’S GRISLY NEW THRILLER IMPUNITY TO SCREEN AT DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Noir thriller “Impunity”, the latest film by celebrated South African director Jyoti Mistry, will be screened at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), which opens on Thursday, 16 July, giving audiences a sneak preview prior to the film’s release in August. This follows the screening of the film in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.

The film tells the story of a Special Crimes Unit investigator Dingande Fakude (Desmond Dube) and a local police detective and trained psychologist Naveed Khan (Vaneshran Arumugam), who find themselves caught up in political corruption and conspiracy when they investigate the gruesome murder of a cabinet minister's daughter, found in an exclusive African safari resort after a party celebrating her engagement to a rising political star.

A young couple, Derren (Bjorn Steinbach) and Echo (Alex McGregor), who were working as waiters at the engagement party, are taken in for questioning by the two lawmen. As they begin to piece events together, it becomes clear that there is much more to the high-profile murder case than first imagined. The two uncover a trail of murders and are faced with a moral dilemma involving the new political elite.

With the themes of corruption and brutality at its centre, Impunity is a profound investigation into contemporary South Africa and the seat of power. The film has been lauded for it rich visual language, which features picturesque beachfronts and bushveld, intercut with harsh CCTV footage. The Toronto Film Festival organisers described “Impunity” as “an eye-opening jolt, casting an unwavering gaze on South Africa's increasingly troubling surrender to the banality of violence.”

Mistry studied filmmaking and cinema studies at New York University. Her short films include “We Remember Differently” (2005) and “I Mike What I Like” (2006). “Impunity” is her second feature film, after “The Bull on the Roof” (2010). “Impunity” is produced by Shadowy Meadows Productions and Bioskope Pictures, with cinematography by Eran Tahor.

Impunity is being released by Indigenous Film Distribution at selected cinemas on 28 August.

All media queries

david alex wilson

cell: 27 83 629 2587 / e-mail: davidalex@madmoth.co.za

Dis Ek, Anna to Debut at DIFF 2015

Media Release

DIS EK, ANNA TO DEBUT AT DIFF 2015

Palama Productions will debut their latest feature film Dis ek, Anna at the Durban International Film Festival this year.  Based on the fictionalised autobiographical best-sellers Dis ek, Anna and Die Staat teen Anna Bruwer by Anchien Troskie, written under the pseudonym Elbie Lötter, and adapted for screen by Tertius Kapp, the film is produced by Niel van Deventer (Suurlemoen, Anderkant Gister) and directed by Sara Blecher (Ayanda, Otelo Burning). 

The film is a harrowing, but ultimately uplifting story of a young woman who finds the strength to pick up the pieces of her shattered world and forge a new life.  Anna Bruwer is sexually abused by her stepfather over a period of 8 years.  Unable confide in anyone, she is rendered voiceless and inhabits a shadow world of shame, foreboding and secrecy, until she is finally able to break free from her tormentor.

Dis ek, Anna stars Charlenè Brouwer (Vrou Soek Boer, Erfsondes, Binnelanders) in the title role with Marius Weyers (Faan se Trein, Die Wonderwerker), Nicola Hanekom (Hollywood in My Huis, Faan se Trein), Izel Bezuidenhout (Agent 2000), Morné Visser (Long Walk to Freedom, Skoonheid), Eduan van Jaarsveldt (Fanie Fourie’s Lobola,Long Walk to Freedom) and Drikus Volschenk (Long Walk to Freedom, Skoonheid).  Rounding out the cast is Dawid Minnaar, Elize Cawood, Hykie Berg, Kara van der Merwe and Fezile Mpela.

“Bringing this film to screen has been a labour of love,” says producer Niel van Deventer.  “It is very important to me to find projects that have the potential to become films that transcend the borders of our language and country.  Anna is certainly such a story.”

“We are thrilled to have Dis ek, Anna as part of our slate of films for 2015.  It is a remarkable film that raises the bar in terms of quality and performance,” says Driki van Zyl, General Manager: Times Media Films. “

Dis ek, Anna is being released by Times Media Films and will open at cinemas across the county on 30 October 2015.

 

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david alex wilson

Mad Moth Communications

Cell: 27 83 629 2587

e-mail: davidalex@madmoth.co.za

Restored Anti-apartheid Film - A Dry White Season will Screen on Mandela Day for DIFF

Media Release

Restored Anti-apartheid Film, A Dry White Season, will Screen on Mandela Day 2015 for DIFF

The award-winning and world-renowned French filmmaker Euzhan Palcy will showcase her most celebrated work, A DRY WHITE SEASON (1989), as part of the film’s 25th anniversary at this year’s Durban International Film Festival (DIFF). The film was adapted from a book by the acclaimed South African writer Andre Brink who died earlier this year. Palcy will be honoring Brink on Mandela Day (July 18).

Additionally, in a tribute to her contribution to the South African film industry, Palcy will be honoured at the Simon Sabela Awards on July 19. Karina Brink, Dame Janet Suzman and Thoko Ntshinga will attend both the screening and the awards.

At the time the film was produced, Ms. Palcy was distinguished for being the first black female director to be hired by a major Hollywood studio (MGM) and to direct an anti-apartheid film during Nelson Mandela’s prison sentence. She is also the only woman to have directed Marlon Brando and the first black person to win a French Oscar.

Andre Brink’s book, a narrative about the social movements of South Africa and the 1976 Soweto riots inspired Palcy’s impassioned response to illustrate an accurate account of the reality of apartheid. Palcy made the film in 1989 after doing extensive research undercover in Soweto. The film stars Donald Sutherland, Janet Suzman, Marlon Brando, Zakes Mokae, Susan Sarandon, John Kani, Winston Ntshona, Jürgen Prochnow amongst others.

“We are pleased to be able to present an important work created by a black woman, which highlights and even represents the lost voices of the people of this continent; the unspoken narratives and the untold stories,” says Pedro Pimenta, Director of DIFF. “Her courage to create a work which could stand out and give three dimensional life to Brink’s book, and by association the voiceless at the time, required an enormous amount of bravery. We are proud to be able to salute her at the DIFF this year.”

The South African event will kick off on 17 July with the opening of an exhibition of David James’ still photographs from A DRY WHITE SEASON at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts. James is the 2011 Society of Cinematographer Lifetime achievement award winner in stills photography and was the official photographer of the 81st to the 84th Oscars ceremonies. The exhibition will run for the duration of the DIFF until the 26 July.

A DRY WHITE SEASON will be screened on Mandela Day at Suncoast on Saturday, 18 July at 20:00. This will be followed by a question and answer session with Ms. Palcy. Her first classic award winning film, SUGAR CANE ALLEY, which Brink apparently screened in secret to his students, celebrates its 30th anniversary and will be screened as a South African premiere at Suncoast on Monday, 20 July at 19:30, in which she will also be in attendance.

Comment from Patrick Aglae director of communications for Euzhan Palcy and producer of A DRY WHITE SEASON: the 25th anniversary tour:

It has been a long journey since we decided to officially screen A DRY WHITE SEASON in South Africa on the big stage. Euzhan Palcy had made the promise to Nelson Mandela to comeback one day to officially screen the film. In March at the Andre Brink’s Memorial at the University of Cape Town she said “Let’s make it happen”. So to do it on the Mandela Day is magnificent. I’d like to thank DIFF’s new leadership to make this dream a reality alongside MGM and Park Circus, its worldwide distribution partner which played a key role to restore this film and make the DCP on time. To make it so fast speaks volume about their respect for the film.

-ends

For the full DIFF programme go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za. @EuzhanPalcy

Triggerfish launches the Story Lab at Durban Film Mart

Media Release 

Triggerfish launches the Story Lab at Durban Film Mart

CAPE TOWN - After the international success of its first two feature films, Triggerfish Animation Studios is establishing The Triggerfish Story Lab with the support of The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) and The Walt Disney Company.

Triggerfish will be investing up to R44m over the next three years in The Story Lab, which aims to give Africa’s most talented storytellers and filmmakers the opportunity to develop their ideas alongside Triggerfish’s international network of mentors. Selected storytellers will potentially have their concepts developed into episodic TV content or an animated feature film for the global market.

Triggerfish is conducting a continent-wide search for storytellers, which will be launched at the Durban Film Mart. These storytellers will be carefully selected, based not only on the creative and commercial merits of their concept, but also on their track record.

The entries will be evaluated by a high-profile panel of both local and international experts, including British director and co-founder of Aardman Peter Lord (Chicken Run, The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists), Hollywood writer Jonathan Roberts (The Lion King) and script consultant Karl Iglesias (Writing For Emotional Impact), and a panel of development executives from The Walt Disney Company, as well as South African storyteller Gcina Mhlope, comedian David Kau and Triggerfish’s development team of Anthony Silverston, Wayne Thornley and Raffaella Delle Donne.

Shortlisted storytellers will take part in workshops with leading Hollywood script consultant Pilar Alessandra, author of The Coffee Break Screenwriter.

The selected Story Lab participants will also receive two weeks of mentoring with key studio and television executives at Disney’s headquarters in Burbank, California.

“We are ready to bring a fresh voice to the world,” says Anthony Silverston, head of development at Triggerfish. “We believe there is extraordinary talent in Africa and the Story Lab is the perfect way to partner with them.”

“We are excited to be supporting Triggerfish on this innovative project,” says Christine Service, senior vice president and country manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa. “We believe the Story Lab provides a unique opportunity to discover this continent’s next generation of storytellers.”

“The dti is committed to developing a pool of creative talent that can produce international quality animation production scripts,” says Nelly Molokoane from the dti’s Film and TV Incentives Unit, adding that the department is honoured to support projects that will contribute to job creation.

“The Story Lab will be a great catalyst for African creativity on the global stage,” says Triggerfish CEO Stuart Forrest. “We look forward to opening up the Triggerfish production platform and our networks to the continent’s top creative talent."

The development process can take a number of years. For each phase of development, Triggerfish will provide financial support, workspace, and expert guidance by internal and international consultants and mentors, as well as a route to market through top-tier relationships with Hollywood agency William Morris Endeavor.

Animation has proven to be a successful medium for South African films to travel internationally, with Triggerfish’s films Adventures in Zambezia and Khumba being distributed in over 150 countries and dubbed into over 27 languages.

Applications are welcome from all writing and creative disciplines, not just experienced film and TV screenwriters. Applicants must be over 21 and either African citizens or permanent residents. Entries must be in English. Entries close 31 August 2015.

Full guidelines and an online application form are available at www.triggerfishstudios.com.  

Watch and embed the promo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qWjb0ksSqA.

Triggerfish will launch the Story Lab at Durban Film Mart on Sunday, 19 July 2015 from 2-3pm at Suite 5. Anthony Silverston will be in attendance and is available for interviews. 

-ENDS-

About Triggerfish Animation Studios:

Established in 1996, Triggerfish Animation Studios is a Cape Town-based film and entertainment company. The studio has produced two feature films: Adventures in Zambezia (2012), starring Jeremy Suarez, Abigail Breslin and Samuel L. Jackson, and Khumba (2013), starring Jake T. Austin, AnnaSophia Robb and Liam Neeson. The two movies are among the top five highest-grossing South African films of all time.

 

About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $48.8 billion in its fiscal year 2014.

 

Business Model Canvas Boot Camp at DFM 2015

Media Release

Business Model Canvas  Boot Camp at DFM 2015

The Durban FilmMart (DFM), in partnership with the Documentary Filmmakers' Association, the Canadian Film Center (CFC) Media Lab and the National Film and Video Foundation, will be hosting one-and-a-half day closed workshops on the powerful Business Model Canvas (BMC) tool for South African filmmakers at this year’s DFM which takes palce during the Durban International Film Festival from July 17 to 20.

The success of Alex Osterwalder’s book Business Model Generation and subsequent workshops based on the book has resulted in the demystification of business model design. With BMC, licensed under Creative Commons, Osterwalder and his associates have created a visualisation tool to help business owners determine which set of business models may work for their product. The Business Model Canvas is a design tool to help businesses to get their first principles right – starting with who their customer might be.

The BMC Boot Camp will walk participants through the Business Model Canvas using methods developed by Osterwalder and further evolved by the CFC Media Lab for the creative content industries. The workshop will take a participatory approach in order to create an empowering and interactive working environment that fosters understanding, discussion, creativity and analysis. The workshop team will lead content producers through a series of exercises in order to help participants identify their various business models and provide blueprints for their current and future projects.

Filmmakers will learn how to apply BMC to each individual project, identifying the different elements, connecting them, and learning how to integrate them in order to enhance their work and deliver an optimal final product. Due to its visual and narrative approach to business planning, the model is easy to understand and interpret for those who lack training in business management theory.

In addition to this practical application to current projects, six South African trainers will learn to train content producers how to use the tool, thus expanding the legacy of the programme beyond the Durban FilmMart. It is anticipated that BMC will become a widely used tool in the South African and African film industries.

Tshego Molefe, a member of the Documentary Filmmakers Association who participated in a BMC workshop in 2014, had this to say:  “The Business Model Canvas allowed me to view the documentary process in a different form. Pulling back from the story and getting a bird’s eye view of the entire process was refreshing and helpful, especially to a producer who wants to maintain a sustained business around production.”

The 6th Durban FilmMart takes place in Durban, at the Tsogo Sun Elangeni from 17 to 20 July 2015, during the 36th edition of the Durban International Film Festival (16-26 July 2015).

For more information on the Durban FilmMart and to register as a delegate visit www.durbanfilmmart.com

 -ends

 

Issued on behalf of The Durban FilmMart by:

Sharlene Versfeld

Versfeld & Associates

 031-8116528/ 083 326 3235

Sharlene@versfeld.co.za/ info@versfeld.co.za

 

Note to Editors:

The Durban FilmMart (DFM) is a co-production and finance market and is a joint programme of the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF). DFM provides filmmakers from across Africa with a valuable opportunity to pitch projects to financiers, distributors, sales agents and potential co-producers, and to participate in meetings, project presentations and a series of master classes and workshops on the latest industry trends. www.durbanfilmmart.com

The Durban Film Office (DFO) is the film industry development arm of the eThekwini Municipality, mandated to position Durban as a world-class film production destination and facilitator for the development of the local film industry. The DFO drives activity and development in the sector in order to boost tourism, job creation and the development of core skills and SMMEs in the region.www.durbanfilmoffice.com

 The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) presents over 250 screenings from different countries and cultures with a special focus on Africa. The festival includes development programmes such as Talents Durban and a rich schedule of workshops. DIFF is a flagship project of the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal, which facilitates creative platforms and economic opportunities for artists and related industries, intercultural exchange and network development, training, audience development and strategic Pan-African and international cooperation in the cultural sectors. www.cca.ukzn.ac.za

Urucu Media launches inaugural South African edition of Cannes prestigious La Semaine de la Critique at DIFF 2015

Media Release

Urucu Media launches inaugural South African edition of Cannes prestigious La Semaine de la Critique at DIFF 2015

Urucu Media, one of South Africa’s newest feature film production houses, which recently produced the internationally acclaimed Necktie Youth, is proud to announce that they have partnered with Cannes’s La Semaine de la Critique (Critic’s Week) to host a dynamic selection of the top films emerging from this programme in recent years. 

The South African programme launches as part of the Durban International Film Festival 2015, at Cinecentre, Suncoast Casino on July 21, with the support of Institute Francaise. Five critically acclaimed films will be screened during the course of the festival with additional screenings scheduled for Johannesburg and Cape Town the following weekend.

Established in 1961, the Semaine De La Critique competition is dedicated to showcasing emerging filmmakers from around the world. Since it's inception the competition has featured the early works of numerous famous auteurs including Ken Loach, Wong Kar-Wai and Alejandro González Iñarritu.

The travelling Semaine de la Critique programme is part of a broader initiative by Urucu Media, supported by the French Institute of South Africa, to promote unique cinematic voices and innovation, while cultivating an audience for the types of films Urucu believes are worth making.

Opening the South African edition of La Semaine de la Critique is Hope, French writer-director, and documentarian, Boris Lojkine's first fiction film.

According to The Hollywood Reporter Hope is a “scrupulously well-researched” recounting of a journey of desperation taken by a Nigerian woman and a Cameroonian man across the Sahara in an attempt to reach Europe. Cine Europa Online highlighted the “incredible and moving realism that emerges reveals a director whose work should be kept an eye on.” 

Award winning director Lojkine will be in attendance at DIFF where he will present a Master Class, as part of the Talents Durban programme, on bringing reality and authenticity to fiction filmmaking.

Other films include The Kindergarten Teacher by Nadav Lapid (Israel, 2014) about a crèche teacher and aspiring poet, who discovers unusual poetic talent in her five-year old student. Informed by her own deprived past and a fear that the world will eat his sensitive soul alive, she takes it upon herself to protect the boy and the gift he carries.

Yann Gonzalez’s debut feature You And The Night by  (France, 2013) is an erotic-existential-queer comedy. Starring legendary French footballer Eric Cantona in the role of a well-hung stud/former child-poet and one of seven member of a meticulously cast orgy, it explores and intentionally confuses memory and fantasy.

From Italy and France comes Salvo the winner of last year’s La Semaine de la Critique of Cannes Film Festival directed byFabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza (2013). It tells the story of Salvo (Saleh Bakri) – a merciless body guard/hit man in Sicily’s underworld.  Meeting Rita (Sara Serraiocco), the blind sister of one of his victims – and a witness at that – changes not just Salvo’s life, but Rita’s too, and offers the pair a relief from the literal and metaphorical darkness in which they are stuck.

Writer/director Katell Quillévéré’s second feature, Suzanne  (France, 2013) follows Suzanne (Sara Forestier) during 25 years of her life. Suzanne grows up with her sister (Adèle Haenel) and widowed truck-driver father (François Damiens). When Suzanne falls pregnant while still in school, the family with its new member remains a tight unit, but when she falls in love with a gangster, the stability is threatened. 

 “My business partner, John Trengove and I are, incredibly excited about hosting the first official platform for La Semaine de la Critique in Africa and hope to cultivate strong local audience base for the wonderful films that emerge from this inspiring competition every year.” says Urucu’s Elias Ribeiro.

For more information about the La Semaine de la Critique go to www.urucumedia.com and for the Durban International Film Festival go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za

 

-ends

 

La Semaine de la Critique screening times:

Durban: Suncoast Casino

21st July         20:00   HOPE   - Opening Night Film - La Semaine de la Critique

22nd July        17:30   SALVO

23rd July         22:00   SUZANNE

24th July         17:30   THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER

25th July         17:00   YOU AND THE NIGHT

 

Johannesburg: Rosebank Nouveau &

Cape Town: V&A Waterfront Nouveau

 

31st July         20:00   HOPE

1st August     17:30   SALVO
          

1st August     20:00   SUZANNE

2nd August    17:30   THE KINDERGARDEN TEACHER 

2nd August    20:00   YOU AND THE NIGHT 

 

Note to editors:

 

La Semaine de la Critique: The Films

Hope by Boris Lojkine (France, 2014, 91 min)

In his debut feature, the French helmer takes on the forever-relevant topic of migration from Africa to Europe. Léonard from Cameroon (Endurance Newton) and Hope from Nigeria (Justin Wang) form a contested partnership on their dangerous journey to Europe – a dreamland where even mosquitoes drink coca cola.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fycw0Q0ahlo

 

The Kindergarten Teacher by Nadav Lapid (Israel, 2014, 120 min.)

Nira (Sarit Larry), a crèche teacher and aspiring poet, discovers unusual poetic talent in Yoav (Avi Shnaidman), her five-year old student. Informed by her own deprived past and a fear that the world will eat his sensitive soul alive, she takes it upon herself to protect the boy and the gift he carries.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP3Wo1uGzTk

 

You And The Night by Yann Gonzalez (France, 2013, 92 min.)

Gonzalez kick-started his feature film career with an erotic-existential-queer comedy. Starring legendary French footballer Eric Cantona in the role of a well-hung stud/former child-poet and one of seven member of a meticulously cast orgy, it explores and intentionally confuses memory and fantasy.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS2q6AYBnkQ

 

Salvo by Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza (Italy/France, 2013, 110 min.)

The winner of La Semaine de la Critique of Cannes Film Festival 2014 tells the story of Salvo (Saleh Bakri) – a merciless body guard/hit man in Sicily’s underworld.  Meeting Rita (Sara Serraiocco), the blind sister of one of his victims – and a witness at that – changes not just Salvo’s life, but Rita’s too, and offers the pair a relief from the literal and metaphorical darkness in which they are stuck.

Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI5qkz91ohU

 

Suzanne by Katell Quillévéré (France, 2013, 94 min.)

Writer/director Quillévéré’s second feature follows Suzanne (Sara Forestier) during 25 years of her life. Suzanne grows up with her sister (Adèle Haenel) and widowed truck-driver father (François Damiens). When Suzanne falls pregnant while still in school, the family with its new member remains a tight unit, but when she falls in love with a gangster, the stability is threatened. 

Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJyzQ3CboJ8

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Selection of Indian Films at DIFF 2015

Media Release

Selection of Indian Films at DIFF 2015

The Durban International Film Festival 2015 opens on Thursday and the diverse line-up of film from around the globe is bound to capture an equally diverse audience. The festival, which takes place from 16 to 26 July at 13 venues across Durban, features over 255 screenings and includes a number of films from the Indian sub-continent as well as films from the diaspora.

Sunrise, a feature film directed by celebrated Indian director Partho Sen-Gupta and set in Mumbai, tells a story of Joshi, a policeman who lost his six-year-old daughter, Aruna, ten years ago. The film exposes the horrid life of young girls that have been trafficked and the constant quest by policemen to stop such crimes.

New York and Mumbai based independent filmmaker and producer, Shrihari Sathe’s 1000 Rupee Note is a film that encapsulates the isolated political issues in rural India. The story is of Budhi, a poor old widow and mother who receives a gift of several 1000 Rupee notes from a politician during a political rally in a small village in Maharashtra, central India. 1000 Rupee Note is a narrative of a passive character that speaks to the broader concerns of Indian rural society. A society that is in a perpetual state of waiting for something to happen to them just as Budhi does.

Tigers directed by Oscar and Golden Globe award-winning director Danis Tanovic, is about two filmmakers wanting to expose the dark and unscrupulous methods used by a multinational corporation in manufacturing infant milk formula. Many babies die after consuming the formula and doctors blame the salesman named Ayan. Ayan quits his job with a determination to reveal the scandal behind the corporation’s infant milk formula.

The documentary Indians Can’t Fly, directed by Enver Samuel is a celebratory documentary about South African anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Timol who died in 1971 after being thrown from the 10th floor of the John Vorster Square Police Station. The documentary is narrated by Timol's nephew Imtiaz Ahmed Cajee, author of Timol: Quest for Justice..

The Fall of Ganesh, a short film directed and written by Sheetal Megan, tells the story of a troubled Mira hosting a Diwali dinner in order to announce her engagement to her boyfriend Sizwe, only to discover that this raises unspoken conflicts between herself and her father. Their dispute is over shadowed by a violent confrontation with the neighbours as the night ends in fireworks. This is one for the films in the NFVF’s Female Filmmaker Project.

For more information and the full programme go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za

-ends

Artwatch Africa at Durban International Film Festival 2015

Media Release

Artwatch Africa at Durban International Film Festival 2015

Public interest in freedom of expression has escalated dramatically since the Charlie Hebdo killings in January. An Al-Jazeera news item reported that media coverage of freedom of expression jumped from 2% in 2014 to over 23% in early 2015. Whilst freedom of expression is a right widely enshrined in the constitutions of nations across Africa, these rights are frequently not upheld. It is not just political parties or journalists that are vulnerable constituencies, but also activists from the arts and culture sectors; increasingly in some countries, artists that speak out on social and political issues are subjected to harassment, censorship or even arrest.

 

These and related issues are a core feature of Arterial Network’s three-fold presence at the 36th edition of the Durban International Film Festival, as part of its Artwatch Africa artist rights programme.

Aimed at artists, cultural practitioners, journalists and human rights organisations, and coordinated by Arterial Network South Africa, a closed 3-day workshop provides an opportunity to deepen understanding of human rights, cultural rights and artist rights, and will empower advocacy activities for the promotion, monitoring and defence of freedom of creative expression within local contexts. Similar Artwatch Africa workshops have taken place in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Mali, DRC, Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon, Namibia, Algeria, Zambia, Gabon, Tanzania, Republic of Congo, Benin, Kenya, Rwanda, Ivory Coast and Morocco during the past year.

An open-to-all session in conjunction with DIFF’s Talents programme is the  "Behind the Veil - Arterial Network and ArtWatch Africa Exchange on Creativity and Censorship" on 21st July at 14.00 in Suite 4, Elangeni Hotel. This interactive engagement explores censorship in Africa and includes a data gathering component aimed at understanding the nature of restrictions that inhibit artistic practice in respective countries.

Finally, during the Durban International Film Festival Award Night, an Artwatch Africa Award will be presented to an African film that meaningfully engages with the issues of Freedom of Expression. The Artwatch Africa project promotes the value of creative expression for society and the role creativity plays in personal development, social cohesion or social change; it recognises the transformative power of cinema and its importance in raising awareness and conscientisation. This award celebrates activism in the arts, and honours the courage of filmmakers and their subjects. The Award is accompanied by a R15,000 cash prize.

The Artwatch Africa Jury comprises Junaid Ahmed - award winning filmmaker; Gcina Mhlophe - award winning author, poet, playwright, director, performer and storyteller; René Alicia Smith - Executive Dean (Acting): Faculty of Arts & Design at Durban University of Technology; and Peter Rorvik - Secretary-General of Arterial Network.

Artwatch Africa is supported by Swedish Foundation for Human Rights, Swedish Postcode Lottery, Swedish Institute, HIVOS, Mimeta, Goethe Institute and Doen Foundation.

With representation in more than 40 African countries Arterial Network is engaged in building sustainable networks, information dissemination, training, policy formulation,advocacy, and African-centred research, all geared towards growing and strengthening the cultural and creative sectors in Africa.

Visit  www.arterialnetwork.org or call 021-4612023 for more information.

-ends

AfriDocs Film Week 18- 22nd July @DIFF2015

AfriDocs Film Week  18- 22nd  July

Sub-Saharan Africa Broadcast Presents:

A WEEK OF AFRICAN STORIES – ON YOUR SCREEN

Following on from the success of 2014’s AfriDocs Film Festival on Your Screen, and once again in conjunction with the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) and DStv channel ED, AfriDocs is excited to present a full week of documentary films broadcast across sub-Saharan Africa on DStv channel ED (channel 190) and GOtv (channel 65).

From the 18th – 22nd of July, AfriDocs brings some of the best of DIFF to screens across Africa with eleven films from the festival to be screened. These films include award winning documentaries - The Shore Break, by Riley Grunenwald (South Africa), The Democrats by Camilla Nielsson (Zimbabwe), Beats of the Antonov by Hajooj Kuka (Sudan) and Coming of Age by Teboho Edkins (Lesotho).

There will also be daily live broadcasts with filmmakers and industry stakeholders from DIFF at 4pm  (Central/South African time), and screenings of documentary films from 5 – 10pm with eight hours of the Best of DIFF on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of July.

With the schedule on these days repeating every six hours, you can catch the live interviews and films three more times following the first broadcast.

This feast of documentary films is not to be missed, make sure to get the full schedule and follow all the updates from AfriDocs as they broadcast live from DIFF: www.facebook.com/AfriDocs , www.afridocs.net

Saturday 18th July

AfriPedia: Kenya | Teddy Goitom, Benjamin Taft, Senay Berhe | Kenya | 2014

‘Afripedia, Kenya’ takes an intimate look at Nairobi’s urban culture scene and its leading personalities and stars.

Miners Shot Down | Rehad Desai | SA | 2013

In August 2012, mineworkers in one of South Africa’s biggest platinum mines began a wildcat strike for better wages. Six days later the police used live ammunition to brutally suppress the strike, killing 34 and injuring many more.

The Future Sound of Mzansi | Lebogang Rasethaba, Nthato Mokgata (Spoek Mathambo) | SA | 2014

Welcome to the apartheid after-party! The film explores the past, present and future of the electronic music scene and its multiple sub-genres – the mission was simple: to meet up with some of their heroes, colleagues, competitors, and co-conspirators…an ever-potent gang of electronic music pioneers sculpting The Future Sound of Mzansi.

A Mother at Fifteen  - 14 min | Malawi | 2015

The Shore Break | Ryley Grunenwald | SA | 2014

Two cousins from South Africa’s Wild Coast have opposing plans to develop their land. Nonhle wants to develop eco-tourism in order to protect her community’s homes, farms, graves and traditional lifestyle while Madiba is planning a titanium mine and national tolled highway. Meanwhile, their King and Queen, who oppose the mine and highway, are deposed by the South African Government.

 

Sunday 19th July

The Dream of Shahrazad | Francois Verster | Egypt, Lebabon, Turkey | 2014

The Dream of Shahrazad is a feature-length documentary film which locates political expression before, during and after the Egyptian revolution – and also within recent times in Turkey and Lebanon – within a broader historical and cultural framework: that of storytelling and music.  More particularly, it looks at the legacy of the famous collection of stories known as THE 1001 (or “ARABIAN”) NIGHTS.

Gareth’s Story  - 11 min

Beats of the Antonov | Hajooj Kuka | Sudan | 2014

Beats of the Antonov is a feature documentary about the people of the Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains in Sudan, during civil war. The film explores how music binds a community together, offering hope and a common identity for refugees engaged in a fierce battle to protect cultural traditions and heritage from those trying to obliterate them.

AfriPedia: Senegal | Teddy Goitom, Benjamin Taft, Senay Berhe | Senegal | 2014 |

Dakar has quickly become one of the most buzzing cities on the continent, infused by a new sense of creativity that cross-pollinates influences across genres and cultures

Shake the Dust | Adam Sjoberg | Global | 2014

From executive producer and rapper Nasir “Nas” Jones and journalist-turned-filmmaker Adam Sjöberg, Shake the Dust chronicles the influence of breakdancing, exploring how it strikes a resonant chord in the slums, favelas and ghettos of the world and far beyond. Showcasing some of the most jaw-dropping breakdancing moves ever committed to film, Shake the Dust is an inspiring tribute to the uplifting power of music and movement.

 

Monday, 20 July

Afripedia | Teddy Goitom, Benjamin Taft & Senay Berhe | Ghana|  2014

The whispers among connoisseurs talk about Accra as the next big hotspot for African cultural production, and ‘Afripedia, Ghana’ suggest they’re not wrong.

Concerning Violence| Göran Olsson | Africa | 2014

Internationally awarded documentary about the African liberation struggles of the 1960s and 1970s. It combines newly discovered archival material depicting some of the most daring moments in the confrontation with colonial powers. Narrated by Lauryn Hill, with text based on Frantz Fanon’s Wretched of the Earth.

The Democrats | Camilla Nielsson | Zimbawe | 2014

In politically unstable Zimbabwe, a new constitution is being put together by the ruling party of strongman Robert Mugabe and the divided opposition. Various political, local and personal interests are bogging the process down.

Coming of Age | Teboho Edkins | Lesotho | 2015

Coming of Age is a film that follows teenagers over two years as they grow up deep in the southern African mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Lefa, sees her world fall apart when her best friend Senate leaves the village, and must decide whether to stay or leave in search of a better education. Retabile takes care of the family’s livestock up in a remote cattle post, helped by his younger brother Mosaku, who watches as he goes through a rite of passage that marks his transition into manhood. The summer of youth is quickly over, doors into adulthood open and close.

The Cessation | Lotte Manicom | South Africa | 2014

Angola was subject to brutal conflicts that raged for over forty years. Thousands of refugees fled over the borders into neighbouring countries in search of a safe haven. Many came to the coastal city of Cape Town, on the western coast of South Africa. Here, in exile, the Angolan community created thriving businesses and families of their own. Now, twenty years on, this diaspora is facing a new challenge. In 2013, the South African government ended their refugee protection. This short documentary follows three members of this vibrant Angolan diaspora in Cape Town as it maps the impact of this Cessation on their lives.

 

Tuesday, 21 July

 

Afripedia | Teddy Goitom, Benjamin Taft & Senay Berhe | Angola|  2014

Welcome to Angola, home of heavy electro music known as kuduro. Follow us across the pulsating city of Luanda as we delve into the kuduro evolution and meet the people charting its course.

Under African Skies Joe Berlinger | South Africa | 2012

Paul Simon returns to South Africa to explore the journey of his Graceland album, including the political backlash he received for allegedly breaking the UN cultural boycott of South Africa designed to end the Apartheid regime.

Paths to Freedom | Richard Pakleppa | Namibia | 2015

Paths to Freedom tells of the origins of Namibian nationalism in the 1950’s and how Namibian  peasants and migrant labourers created a guerilla army to fight the illegal occupation of their country by South Africa.  Utilizing extensive archive, struggle music and eye witness accounts Paths to Freedom tells this story of David rising against Goliath against all odds.

The Man in Me – 15 min | Lesotho | 2014

Fonko: New Music from West Africa | Lamin Daniel Jadama,  Lars Lovén | 2014 |

Dakar is the unrivalled centre for the West African hip hop-scene and coupé- décalé is now a major influence all over West Africa. In Burkina Faso the name and speeches of Thomas Sankara is used by musicians to protest against injustices and corruption. In Benin, the veterans of Orchestre Polyrytmo give a historic background to the music scene of today. Narrated by Neneh Cherry.

 

Wednesday, 22 July

Afripedia | Teddy Goitom, Benjamin Taft & Senay Berhe |South Africa|  2014

Twenty years after liberation, ‘Afripedia, South Africa’ portrays a diverse new generation that is helping redefine the legacy of the post-apartheid Rainbow Nation.

When Voices Meet | Nancy Sutton Smith | South Africa | 2015 | 86 min

When Nelson Mandela was finally released from prison, courageous South African musicians broke through Apartheid’s barriers to form a 500-voice, multiracial children’s choir. Threatened with bombs and thwarted at every turn, they prevailed and railroaded across the country aboard The Peace Train. When Voices Meet documents the trials, tribulations and triumphs of those musician activists and young choir members. They performed together for seven years; never lost touch with one another; and then reunited 20 years later.

Cartoonists: Foot Soldiers of Democracy | Stéphanie Valloatto | France |

12 lovable lunatics, capturing the comic and tragic in all four corners of the earth: cartoonists who risk their lives to defend democracy, with a smile on their faces and a pencil as their only weapon.

Fonko: South Africa/ Nigeria | Lamin Daniel Jadama,  Lars Lovén | 2014

South Africa and Nigeria are two countries with a troubled past, that have today become the economic and cultural super powers of the continent. South Africa is the home to styles like kwaito, SA House and Shangaan electro, which is possibly the fastest club music in the world.

Nigeria is a country of extreme income gaps, deeply rooted corruption and violent religious conflicts. Here you find the most commercial music on the continent. But also fierce protest music, as artists are trying to carry on the work from the late Fela Kuti. one of the most hard-core protest singers of all times.

AfriDocs screens every THURSDAY at 8pm Central African time (GMT + 2) on DStv ED Channel 190 & GoTV across sub-Saharan Africa.

 

For the full programme schedule and synopses of the films, please go to www.afridocs.net or www.facebook.com/AfriDocs

You can also follow AfriDocs on twitter: @Afri_Docs

-ends

Issued on behalf of Afridocs

 

Explore the world of DIFF 2015 on iTunes

Media Release

Explore the world of DIFF on iTunes

Durban International Film Festival - July 16 – 26, 2015

Africa’s premier film event, the Durban International Film Festival, which is hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts, presents its 36th edition from 16 to 26 July, 2015, in the east coast city of Durban, South Africa.

For the first time in the history of the festival, film-lovers can now explore the world of DIFF on iTunes at www.itunes.com/DIFF where they will be able to enjoy films that complement the official selection this year. Staying within the DIFF’s Areas of Focus, the films that fans can enjoy include Palme d’Or winners such as Marty, or experience the musical frenzy that is the Director’s Cut of Woodstock.

iTunes has a history of working with film festivals around the world such as Cannes, TRIBECA, Toronto Film Festival and more, so it’s great for  DIFF to now have a presence on the store. 

“Many people are unable to get to the DIFF, or simply do not have the time to see all the titles on offer at the festival so we are pleased that for the first time, we are building this special area on iTunes for people to access great films associated with DIFF.” says Pedro Pimenta, Director of DIFF. 

The festival also includes the Wavescape Surf Film Festival as well as important industry initiatives featuring a programme of seminars and workshops with notable industry figures, the 8th Talents Durban (in cooperation with the Berlinale Talents) and the 6th Durban FilmMart co-production market (in partnership with the Durban Film Office).

The festival is a hub for the African film industry and is an unmissable date for both industry representatives and lovers of film.

The full programme for the DIFF can be found on www.durbanfilmfest.co.za or follow us on Twitter at @DIFFest or Facebook on DurbanInternationalFilmFestival.

 

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Durban FilmMart 2015 announces partners' awards for this year's market

Media Release

Durban FilmMart 2015 announces partners’ awards for this year’s market

The Durban FilmMart (DFM), the joint initiative of the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) and Durban Film Office (DFO) the film industry development arm of the City of Durban, which takes place from July 17 to 20, has announced partners’ awards for this year’s market, with an exciting new award being presented by the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program.

Considered one of Africa’s most important film finance platforms and industry gatherings, the FilmMart sees about 500 film-makers from around the globe, with a significant representation from Africa, attend the festival for four days of industry development forums and networking sessions. An integral part of the DFM is the finance and co-production forum, which this year has 10 features and nine documentary films selected for intense mentoring and pitch sessions to financiers and distributors, and other industry representatives.

Over the years the DFM has developed key relationships with a myriad industry partners that have seen the value of supporting and developing African content for both continental and global markets.

This year the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program will award a documentary film project that demonstrates potential for strong storytelling craft, artistic use of visual language, originality, feasibility, and relevance with a cash award of $7000 for further development. “In light of the tremendous talent for documentary filmmaking in Africa and the significant work of the DFM to celebrate those artists, the award is designed to contribute to and support the work of an African non-fiction filmmaker.” explains Rahdi Taylor, Film Fund Director of the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program. “In supporting a broad spectrum of cinematic and creative non-fiction projects globally, Sundance Institute embraces contemporary storytellers as part of the collective consciousness of culture, and documentary film as a vital contributor to the language of the 21st century.”

Partners and awards this year include:

Afridocs, the broadcast stream that sees African and other international documentaries screened across 49 countries of sub-Saharan Africa on a weekly basis, will offer a €3000 grant for one outstanding documentary project.

The CineMart Award, sponsored by the co-production market of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, provides a fiction project with an opportunity to attend the Rotterdam Lab, a five-day training and networking event bringing together producers from all over the world.

The International Documentary Film Festival of Amsterdam (IDFA) awards the most promising documentary project at the DFM with an opportunity to attend the  IDFA Forum, the largest and most influential meeting place for documentary filmmakers, producers, commissioning editors, funds, private financiers and other documentary stakeholders in Europe, from November 23 to 25.

The New Cinema Network awards will give an official project an opportunity to attend the 10th edition NCN in Rome, where the producer/director will be able to present the project to film companies at an international level.

Produire au Sud of Festival des 3 Continents (Nantes), will give one fiction project an opportunity to attend its developmental workshop program, PAS, where they will be given tools, expertise, and opportunities to develop European networks.

The Restless Pitch award, is a one-year representation deal for the project by Restless Talent Management, who provide development services such as image-building and positioning, project packaging, PR, and advises its clients on film sales, distribution and promotion.

Durban’s Videovision Entertainment, will once again award the “Best South African Film Project” a prize valued at R75 000, which guarantees its release once it is completed. The prize includes marketing and distribution support from Videovision Entertainment.   

‘We are immensely grateful to all our partners for the generous opportunities they have created for the DFM selected projects,” says Toni Monty of the Durban Film Office. “For independent film-makers, this is such an ideal opportunity to take their projects to the next level through the mentorship and support provided at the Market. We are looking forward to a robust and stimulating market this year, and seeing how the projects will evolve and develop through the  DFM process.”

For more information about the DFM go to www.durbanfilmmart.com.

 

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Wavescape Surf Film Festival

Media Release

Wavescape Surf Film Festival

To mark a decade of bringing the best surfing films to Durban, the Wavescape Surf Film Festival has announced a record lineup of 23 movies over a week at the 36th Durban International Film Festival, which takes place from July 16 to 26.

Every conceivable film technique and technology is represented in an extraordinary selection of films, according to Spike from Wavescape, co-director of the Wavescape festival. “We have some excellent documentaries, including the hair-raising story of the Signal Hill Speed Run in California that started downhill skateboard racing.”

Wavescape 2015 boasts 12 short films and 11 medium or feature length movies that reflect a unique diversity. A unique trilogy of poetic shorts form a beautiful rendition of surfing in the UK: Sea Fever - and Irish film set to a John Masefield poem and gritty black and white footage; Edges of Sanity - a uniquely powerful piece narrated by Charles Dance who plays Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones; and Chasing Rumours - moving from the clamour of a football match at Newcastle United to the nearby Tyne River where storm waves pound grimy shores.

Included are films from the most remote wildernesses of Alaska (Arctic Swell) and the Arctic Circle (The Cradle of Storms). But from these frozen wastelands and frigid waves we sweep to the translucent tropical waters and reefs of Indonesia in the Mentawai Drone Movie, a short shot entirely by aerial drone.

“Don’t miss the languidly beautiful pace of Bella Vita that takes us to Tuscany as an Italian surfer and activist retraces his ancient roots, or the hard-hitting feminist film Flux: Redefining Women's Surfing that ask serious questions of the surf industry.”

"One of my favourite shorts is Narcose, an artistically rendered account of world apnea free diving champion Guillaume Néry's hallucinations caused by 'raptures of the deep' during one of his dives," says Spike.

There are films about skateboarding in the urban precincts of Cape Town, and keeping within themes of sustainability, two South African shorts about wooden surfboard craftsman. From the epic surfing and slo-mo definition of worldclass surfing in Attractive Distractions, we move to Always on the Road, a beautifully shot film that traces the old surf routes of Europe along the Basque countryside, as well as France and Portugal.

There are obligatory soul surfing movies (I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night, Missing, Rail to Rail and Se7en Signs) to a heady mix of high action surfing that can be found in Missing, Attractive Distractions, Strange Rumblings in Shangri La and Pipeline and Kelly Slater.

And with any selection of surf films, there is the whacky wildcard: Expencive Porno Movie (sic) spoofs the "surf porn” genre, of endless shots of waves and wave-riding, with a cheesy 1960's Austin Powers theme. The widest collection yet hails from locations such as Namibia, Cape Town, Hawaii, California, Indonesia, Portugal, Spain, Alaska, Patagonia, and Australia.

The free outdoor screening at the Bay of Plenty takes place Sunday 19 July.

Ster Kinekor Musgrave screenings are from from Monday, 20 July to Saturday, 25 July.

Films are R35 at Musgrave. 

See www.wavescapefestival.com and www.durbanfilmfest.co.za

 Tickets for Musgrave available from www.sterkinekor.com

 

Social Media

facebook.com/WavescapeSA

facebook.com/WavescapeFestival

Twitter @WavescapeSA

Instagram @WavescapeSA

#WavescapeFestival

#DIFF2015

 

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SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament Finals 25 & 26 July

Media Release

SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament Finals

25 & 26 July

The top ten girls’ first teams from around KZN converge in Kloof in the grand finals of the 2015 SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament over the weekend of 25 and 26 July.

Twenty-nine games will be battled out at St Mary’s DSG and Thomas More College in the hunt to be the 2015 champion. The ten teams who have been victorious in their regionals around KZN will take each other on in the conclusion to this annual tournament now in its fifth year. Ten regionals have been played through the early part of this year, with the finalists from each region participating in the grand finals.

Favourites are the in-form teams from St Mary’s DSG and Durban Girls’ College that are just outside the top ten rankings in South Africa for girls’ first teams. Not far down the list are Pietermartizburg Girls’ High School and St Anne’s College.

Durban Girls’ College are the defending champions, having raised the trophy in the last two years. Promising to give them a run for their money are previous winners St Mary’s DSG and St Anne’s College.

Teams that will compete in the tournament are Ferrum Hoërskool from Newcastle; Amanzimtoti High School from the Durban South Regional; Ashton International College from the Durban North Regional; defending champions Durban Girls’ College from the Durban Central Regional; Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High and St Anne’s College from the Pietermaritzburg Central and Northern Regional; St Mary’s DSG from the Highway Regional; King Edward High School from the Southern KZN Regional; Empangeni High School from the Northern KZN Regional and Wartburg Kirchdorf High School from the Inland KZN Regional.

Another vital ingredient to this tournament is the growth of umpires. At each regional, one umpire was selected as the “Most Promising Umpire” and these have been invited to officiate at the grand finals.

The Most Promising Umpires are Ansie Joubert (St Dominic’s Academy) from the Northern KZN regional; Jason Naidoo (Kingsway High School) from the Durban South Regional; Ziyaana Booley (Northlands Girls High) from Durban North Regional; Pam Daniel (Durban Girls High School) Durban Central Regional; Craig Warren (Treverton) Pietermaritzburg Central Regional;  Bryn Merton (Grace College) Pietermaritzburg North Regional; Chiara Benati (St Mary’s DSG – making her second appearance) from the Highway Regional; Tessa Van Vuuren from the Southern KZN Regional who also is making her second appearance; Storm Blignaut (St.Catherine’s) Northern KZN Regional and Sarah Wheeler (Greytown High School) Inland Regional, who makes her fifth appearance.

“As with the actual game of hockey, a tournament of this size requires some great teamwork and good strategies to win.” says MD of SPAR Rob Philipson. “I would like to thank everyone involved - the tournament director, Les Galloway, the technical team, the schools, coaches, managers and teachers and the girls and their parents, who have worked together to create and develop this winning event. So successful has this model been, that other provinces are looking to emulate it.”

“We look forward to a great weekend of top schoolgirl hockey,” says Les Galloway, tournament director. “It has been truly exciting to see how this tournament has helped to grow a love for hockey in KZN. The festive atmosphere created by SPAR, has really given schoolgirls an opportunity to have fun playing in a competitive tournament and have seen the interest in the game increasing. In fact this year, we were pleased to welcome Inanda Seminary, a school that has not played hockey in recent years, participate in the Durban Central regionals, giving some of the more experienced teams a good competitive match.”

Pool matches will be played on Saturday, July 25 from 08:30 at St Mary’s and Thomas More in Kloof.  On Sunday, July 26 the play-offs will start at 08:30 at St Mary’s.

For more info and the fixtures list -  “like” the SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament Facebook page or follow the tournament on Twitter @SPARGirlsHockey.

Fifth appearance

Ferrum High School – tenth 2014

Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School – bronze 2014

Durban Girls College – defending champions 2014 / 2013

 

Fourth appearance

Empangeni High School – seventh 2014

St Anne’s College – silver 2014

St Mary’s DSG – bronze 2013

 

Third appearance

Wartburg Kirchdorf High – ninth 2014

Second appearance

Ashton International College – ninth 2013

 

First Appearance

Amanzimtoti High School

King Edward High School

 

ENDS