The KwaZulu Natal Film Commission (KZN Film) to have a strong presence at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) and the Durban Film Mart (DFM)
South Africa 17/07/22 : The KwaZulu Natal Film Commission, has the mandate to grow and develop the KwaZulu Natal film industry and position the province as a destination for film. The Commission will once more participate and partner with the Durban International Film Festival and DFM. The festival season has been scheduled to take place from the 21stuntil the 30th of July 2022.
The KZN Film month festivities will offer a menu that promises to appeal to both aspiring and advanced filmmakers and the public, as well as create opportunities for collaboration for filmmakers. The festival will be graced by international and continental delegates whose presence will mark the beginning and continuation of engagements to ensure that the African story is told beyond the borders of South Africa.
Highlights of the KZNFC’s participation at the key events will be engagements with a high-level Italian delegation visiting South Africa under the auspices of the SA/Italian co-production treaty. There will be an SA/Italy panel discussion, scheduled for the 23rd of July followed by one-on-one meetings with South African producers to explore the potential for co-production. The Italian Film Nostalgia will be screened at the festival with some of the delegation comprising of Mr. Alessandro Rak and Mrs. Teresa Ricciardlello in attendance.
Animation will also play a pivotal role at the festival, as the KZN Film Commission will be solidifying the partnership formed with Nigerian animation producer, Somto Ajuluchukwe. As the owner of the successful VX Animation Studios in Nigeria, Mr. Ajuluchukwe will host a workshop on the “Making of Short animation film Glych” with the objective of inspiring and guiding South African and KZN’s developing animators on how to succeed as young animators.
The Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Victor Senna will on the 23rd of July participate in the panel of the “State of the Audio-visual Industry”. The panel will comprise of participants from Wesgro, Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and Gauteng Film Commission (GFC). This session will be followed by “Why shoot in KZN” session which aims to take the delegates through the exciting visual tour of KZN’s breath-taking film locations and how they can be accessed. On the 24th of July delegates will attend the BFI Session which will focus on the BFI Screen Fund with reference to the SA/UK collaboration film, Stolen.
The KwaZulu Natal Film Commission will host once more in person the Simon “Mabhunu” Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards. This prestigious event which recognises outstanding achievement and excellence within the South African Film and Television industry, with a special focus on KwaZulu-Natal, aims to celebrate nominees and winners from the 2021 season.
Other KZN Film Commission’s planned events for the duration of the festival include Emerging Technologies In The Film Industry (4IR) with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Permits and shooting locations with KZN Film offices, Audio Description Presentation which highlights that cinema can be accessed for the visually impaired, KZN Film Research on Film Technology, and meet the funders, a panel with various funding agencies in film. The programme for the Durban International Film Festival promises a celebration of cinema from across the globe with a special emphasis on African cinema. The Film Mart is a key industry event that develops African content with participants from across the continent.
For more information visit www.kznfilm.co.za, www.durbanfilmfest.com and www.durbanfilmmart.co.za
About the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission
The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission is a provincial state entity, under the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal South Africa established in terms of the KwaZulu-Natal Commission Act, 2010 (Act No 3 of 2010). Its mandate is to facilitate support throughout the value chain to the local and international film industry through creating opportunities and also growing the KwaZulu-Natal film industry.