Durban International Film Festival Award Winners 2015

All The Winners

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.

Best Feature Film - Sunrise directed by Partho Sen-Gupta. 

Best South African Feature Film - Necktie Youth directed by Sibs Shongwe-La Mer, 

Best Direction - Shongwe La-Mer for Necktie Youth

Best Documentary and Best SA Documentary - Beats of the Antonov directed by Hajooj Kuka and The Dream of the Shahrazad directed by Francois Verster, respectively. 

Best Actor - Didier Michon for his performance in Fevers directed by Hicham Ayouch 

Best Actress -  Anissa Daoud for 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. 

Best South African Short Film - Unomalanga and The Witch 

Production Merit Award, - Rights of Passage 

Best Screenplay Award - Sabrina Compeyron and David Constantin for 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”, inSunrise 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 

The Restless Pitch at DIFF 2015

Restless Talent Management to Reprise The Restless Pitch at DIFF 2015

Restless Talent Management, the first global management company to focus on African talent, will be hosting its Restless Pitch event for the second time at this year’s 6^th edition of the Durban FilmMart (DFM), a Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) and the Durban Film Office (DFO) developmental initiative for African filmmakers which is funded by the City of Durban. Since its inaugural edition at DFM 2014, The Restless Pitch has been held successfully around the world (Film Africa London, Zimbabwe International Film Festival, AFRIFF, New York Africa Film Festival, Nollywood Week Paris), providing African filmmakers with the opportunity to put their best projects forward.

The Restless Pitch will take place Monday July 20^st from 2pm to 4pm at Southern Sun Elangeni hotel, the festival precinct for both the DFM and DIFF. As a new feature for DFM 2015, Restless Talent Management will also be hosting a “How To Pitch” workshop on Friday July 17 from 2pm to 3pm as a lead up to The Restless Pitch on Monday.

Candidates will be randomly selected among the filmmakers willing to pitch, and each will have 3 minutes to present their best idea for a feature film or TV show in front of a panel of experts that will include Restless Talent Management’s Tendeka Matatu and Thandeka Zwana, Producer of DIFF’s opening film AYANDA Terry Pheto, Award-winning Nigerian actor and lead in AYANDA OC Ukeje, Head of Production and Development at the National Film and Video Foundation Vuyo Sokupa, Head of International Acquisitions at XYZ Films Todd Brown, Award-winning producer Elias Ribeiro, Acquisitions Content Coordinator at MNet Mbalenhle Ntuli and Berlinale Festival Programmer Dorothee Wenner.

 

The filmmaker with the most promising, interesting and ultimately best idea put forward will win a one-on-one coaching session with Restless Talent Management at DFM, potentially leading to a representation deal for his or her project.  

 

“Since its inception at DFM 2014, The Restless Pitch has become the leading platform for African filmmakers to engage with industry influencers. Over the past year we have successfully hosted the pitch at a number of established festivals around the world. We are excited to be back at DFM and look forward to hosting a lively and rewarding event” says Tendeka Matatu, co-founder and CCO of Restless Global.

 

The 6^th DFM is set to take place on 17 – 20 July 2015 at Durban’s Elangeni Tsogo Sun Hotel, alongside the Durban International Film Festival which is set for 16 – 26 July. 

The Shore Break for Durban International Film Festival 2015

The documentary 'The Shore Break' by Riley Grunenwald just won the prestigious Backsberg Audience Choice Award at Encounters South African International Documentary Festival for best South African Film.

This documentary follows 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 and a national tolled highway. 

Nonhle Mbuthuma - Where the river meets the sea - a still from 'The Shore Break'

Director Grunenwald says she is thrilled with the award.

Director of 'The Shore Break' Ryley Grunenwald

'The Shore Break' which was a project in the 2013 Durban FilmMart will have its co-premiere at the 36th Durban International Film Festival on July 18, 2015 with four screenings during the festival which runs from July 16 to 26.

For more info on the film visit: www.theshorebreakmovie.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theshorebreakmovie

Twitter: twitter.com/theshorebreak

Durban Film Festival: www.durbanfilmfestival.co.za

Article by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton 

Interview with Eddie Edwards - Director and Producer of Durban Beach Rescue

This week I was invited to the Media Launch of the new show 'Durban Beach Rescue' a new reality type documentary set along the Durban shoreline.

An image from 'Durban Beach Rescue'

The show is a 10 part series set in Durban and follows Durban lifeguards and  their daily routines. From saving distressed bathers to dealing with verbal abuse, each day is an adventure.

I sat down with the Director of the show, Eddie Edwards and asked him about what it takes to shoot a documentary:

How big was your crew?

25 people.  We had 5 teams of crew members going out spread along the coastline following the lifeguards.

Talk about the KZN Film Commission, Durban Film Office and The City of Durban?

The KZN Film Commission were great, they helped us out with some funding, they also helped us out with all of the procedures of working on this project in Durban.
The Durban Film Office helped us out with dealing with the City.
The City of Durban were great in allowing us access all over and helping us film on the beaches.

Advice for aspiring filmmakers?

It's not the end of the world when you are turned down.  A project has a life.

How long did this show take to develop?

This took two and a half years to develop.


Durban Beach Rescue Premieres Saturday July 4th at 8pm Travel Channel DStv Channnel 179

The executive producer of the show is Bronwyn Berry from Ruby Rocket Media.
For more info visit their website: http://rubyrocket.tv/



Article by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton

SA Film 'Ayanda' announced as DIFF's opening night film

The highly anticipated South African film Ayanda, directed by Sara Blecher and produced by Real Eyes in association with Leading Lady Productions, has been announced as the opening night film of the 36^th The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) which takes place from 16 to 26 July this year.

Set in the vibrant, Afropolitan community of Johannesburg’s Yeoville, Ayanda is a coming-of-age story of a twenty-one year old Afro-hipster, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery when she has to fight to save her late father’s legacy – a motor repair shop - when it is threatened with closure. She’s thrown into a world of greasy overalls, gender stereotypes and abandoned vintage cars once loved, now in need of a young woman’s re-inventive touch to bring them back to life again.

The film stars Fulu Mugovhani (of Scandal fame) and Nigerian actor OC Ukeje, with a star South African cast including Ntathi Moshesh, Kenneth Nkosi, Jafta Mamabola, Thomas Gumede, Sihle Xaba and veteran star of stage and screen Vanessa Cooke.

“We are pleased that this feel-good film will open this year’s festival,” says Pedro Pimenta, Director of the DIFF. “The opening film of this, the most prestigious international film event in SA, needs to reflect a clear priority established by the festival to reach and develop local audiences.”

“The recently published NFVF report on audiences in this country, is very informative and revealing in that while the industry has been successfully structured and supported from all quarters to allow a regular flow of SA content, much still needs to be done for this content to reach local audiences. By once again opening the DIFF with a strong SA film, we endorse this objective.”

This is the second opening night film at DIFF for director Sara Blecher. Her film Otelo Burning opened the 2011 edition of DIFF to critical acclaim. “We are very proud of Ayanda and are thrilled to have it selected as the opening film at this year’s festival.    The film had a very successful screening in Cannes last month and we look forward to screening it to festival-goers in Durban,” says Blecher.

“Ayanda offers an interesting and positive convergence of talents style , resources and distribution potential for the film market.” says Pimenta. “There is a real sense that reaching an audience has been the most important motivation equally shared by the filmmakers and their financiers in its creation.”

“Ayanda celebrates the diversity of our country and revels in the fact that we are a multi-cultural, colourful and exciting melting pot of Africa,” says co-producer Terry Pheto.  “With this film we have tried to capture the Afropolitan nature of our country and the energy of its people.”

“What is also particularly encouraging in terms of the South African film industry is that the film, originally titled, Andani and the Mechanic, was a project in the 2013 Durban FilmMart, the co-production and finance forum of the DIFF and the Durban Film Office.”  says Pimenta. “The film is one of five titles that have been part of the DFM process over the years that will be screened this year at DIFF.”

The festival includes more than 200 theatrical screenings and a full seminar and workshop programme, as well as the Wavescapes Film Festival, and various industry initiatives, including the 8th Talents Durban (presented in cooperation with the Berlinale Talents) and the 6^thDurban FilmMart co-production market (presented in partnership with the Durban Film Office).  For more information go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za.

Opportunity for South African and International Film Directors for Cannes

Call for Applications for the Cannes South African film factory 2016

 

Cannes 2015 saw the launch of the South Africa Film Factory 2016.  This move marks a great opportunity for South African film Directors and the industry as whole.

 

Cannes South African Film Factory will provide an opportunity for four (4) SA directors and four (4) international directors to collectively produce four (4) short films that would have a greater opportunity of screening at the official Cannes program next year. “This is the fourth programme we’re running since our launch. We’ve produced successful projects that have received rave reviews internationally, as well as being screened at the Cannes official programme, says Dominique Welinski from the Cannes Film Factory.

 

Local directors have five weeks to apply for this life changing opportunity. “Our selection process comprises a short list to ten directors, which will be followed by in-depth interviews at the Durban international Film Festival. This is where we will select the four qualifying directors, says Jeremy Nathan of Zidaka. Carol Coetzee KZN Film Commission CEO adds that “the programme is indeed a great platform to showcase not only what South African directors can do, but also what the country has to offer, particularly Durban as all the four films will be shot in KwaZulu Natal.

 

“We are proud to be associated with such a massive opportunity that will up skill our youth. The NFVF strives for an industry that is constantly growing, and this programme provides exactly that as it will uplift our talent, showcase the country as well as create collaboration,” says NFVF CEO Zama Mkosi.

 

In conclusion, Edouard Waintrop says that “the filmmaker, as an artist is a lonely person and often very individualistic. Dominique and I therefore came up with an idea to pair directors to work together, an idea that has resulted in great productions from Taiwan, Nordic Countries and Chile. We look forward to working with South Africans.”

 

Directors who wish to participate in this programme have five weeks to apply, and need to have a strong feature concept attached to their motivation, a producer must be attached, and need to have directed one short film, a first feature film, or a documentary. They can be between the ages of 23 and 35 years old. They need to be available to participate in a workshop during the Durban International Film Festival in July, and be available to film in October and November, 2015. The films will premier at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016.

 

AFDA Durban has offered its edit facilities for postproduction. Media Film Services and Sound Surfers, Hollard Film Guarantors and Cote Ouest Audiovisual and Instit Francais are all official partners.

 

The selection of the 4 directors will take place at the beginning of the Durban International Film Festival by the partners. More information on how to apply and criteria can be downloaded on the Film Factory website.

www.zidaka.co.za/cannessouthafricafactory.

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