The KwaZulu Natal Film Commission will from the 07th until the 13th of November participate at the annual Africa International Film Festival. Celebrating a decade since inception, the festival is taking place in Lagos at the Landmark Retail Boulevard, Lagos.
Deemed as a world class showcase with participation from Africa and international filmmakers, the festival is attended and supported by writers, actors, directors, film critics, buyers, distributors, visual artists, film students, equipment manufacturers, and international press. The KwaZulu Natal Film Commission participates in the international film markets and festivals like AFRIFF with the aim of enhancing its relations with Nigeria, to position KZN as a film destination of choice by exhibiting KZN content and to assist in the creation of collaboration opportunities for KZN filmmakers. This kind of effort already bears fruits. Before the festival closes, the Nigerian filmmakers will head to KZN to work on a SA/Nigeria coproduced film, titled Inhlawulo.
To ensure that the KwaZulu Natal filmmakers are exposed to the festival and to open new doors of collaborations, the KwaZulu Natal Film Commission extended a call to filmmakers to apply for funding to attend the festival. “This is an excellent opportunity for a plethora of creative properties that will enhance the skills level of South Africans in the film industry,” says Asivhanzhi Mathaba of Triangle Post and Animation Studios. Mr. Mathaba and Ms. Minenhle Luthuli are two filmmakers that will be accompanying the KwaZulu Natal Film Commission. Both filmmakers will be exhibiting and marketing their films, furthermore they will be attending Masterclasses with industry professionals.
“We are grateful for the opportunities our commission continues to create for the filmmakers. This is a great chance for them to engage with industry professionals, particularly on the backdrop of AFRIFF’s aim of “re-establishing Africa’s significance as the last frontier for unique film stories and content development”,” says KZN Film Commission COO Ms. Jackie Motsepe.
During its participation at the AFRIFF, the KZN Film Commission will host various events. As part of the South Africa Day celebrations, the KwaZulu Natal Film Commission will on the 10th of November host a Cocktail Event, and on the 11th and 12th of November it will host Speed Dating Sessions. The Speed Dating sessions will be facilitated by the Production and Development team, joined by KZN filmmakers and Nollywood filmmakers.
Apart from the sessions. Ms. Jackie Motsepe will represent South Africa and KwaZulu Natal as a member of the International Jury for Documentary Film Competition Category. The aim of the competition is to celebrate creative excellence in African cinema by recognising African filmmakers.
This is no coincidence as recognition of creative excellence is the heart of industry development, which KZN Film Commission continues to promote through the Simon Sabela KZN Film and Television awards, which this year have been scheduled to take place on the 4th of December.
For more information on how to access the KwaZulu Natal Film Commission funding visit: www.kznfilm.co.za