The Legend of Blue Mamba a graphic novel created by N.D. Mazin - Durban launch December 6 at KZNSA

To be launched at the KZNSA Arts Café in Bulwer Road, Durban, on Friday 6 December at 6pm, The Legend of Blue Mamba a graphic novel created by N.D. Mazin (aka Andy Mason) is a wild and wacky look at the South African surfing scene, wrapped up in a horror comic about a legendary surfer’s valiant struggle against the exploitation of surf culture by big business and the not-so-secret plundering of our coastal resources by international mining companies. 

The story began in the mid-1990s when Andy created his own Blue Mamba surf brand for his pre-teen sons and their surf-mad friends, but soon found its way into a Durban surf mag, before becoming an underground comic series published in the Durban fanzine Mamba Comix. The strip then morphed into the web-comic Azaniamania on the surfing website wavescape.co.za, before taking its final shape as a colourful graphic novel in which all of these previous strips are collected alongside a substantial addition of new material.

Drawn in the classic underground comix style pioneered by Gilbert Shelton and R. Crumb, the book documents the rise and fall of Blue Mamba, a homeless urchin who becomes a wave-riding champ and legendary soul surfer before being lured by Y.T. Sharke, the Mephistophelian CEO of Toxacorp (Pty) Ltd, into selling his face to be used in the branding of their toxic products.

When he tries to back out of this Faustian pact, Blue’s face is literally “ripped off” and he is left faceless and bleeding in the gutters of a sleazy Durban precinct known as Nu Babylon. Determined to get his face back, he becomes SubCommandante Mamba of the World Revolutionary Ecological Combat Kabal (WRECK) and mounts a fierce but ultimately doomed “armed struggle” against Toxacorp.

According to Andy, “Blue Mamba is a chameleonic repository of our deepest hopes, fears and contradictions. I suppose in the end the book asks the question: how can we live as authentic beings in a world where our heroes become brand ambassadors for corporate enterprises motivated purely by greed, our most treasured beliefs are trashed by cynical manipulators, and our everyday lives are a constant involuntary participation in the reproduction of more toxic garbage? What can we as individuals do to sort out this terrible mess?” 

Now living in Muizenberg, Cape Town, Andy has been producing underground, alternative and educational comics since his “Vittoke in Azania” series first appeared in student newspapers in the late 1970s. His strips still feature many of the same characters, including The Vittokes, a new-age Durban family headed by a hippie surfer and a fanatical nudist.

Over the years, Andy has produced a cartoon history of South Africa, a series of illustrated Street Law manuals and numerous educational comics, has written a book on the history of South African cartooning and published a number of anthologies of local comix and political cartoons, and promoted the use of cartooning in popular education. While in Durban he co-founded Artworks Communications, and established the Durban Cartoon Project and Mamba Comix, where a new post-apartheid generation of South African cartoonists first saw their work in print. More recently he co-founded the Centre for Comic, Illustrative and Book Arts (CCIBA) at Stellenbosch University and continues to organise collaborative cartooning events and publications.

Now, keen to get his comix out to a more mainstream audience, Andy has embarked on the self-publication of The Azaniamania Trilogy, a collection of 30 years of underground cartooning work, of which Blue Mamba is the first book. The book, along with Blue Mamba merchandise including posters and T-shirts, will be on sale at the launch and at the KZNSA shop.

Guest speaker for the launch on Friday, December 6 at 6pm is Andy Davis, publisher of Mahala.co.za and Zigzag Surf Mag, and music will be provided by Chappy and the Chunemungers, featuring Andy’s close friends Chris Chapman, Ilan Lax, Rick and Gill Andrew, with special guest Alan Judd.

Copies of the book can be purchased online from readersden.co.za or blankbooks.co.za, and is available in Cape Town from Readers Den, The Book Lounge, Clarke’s Books and Blank Books. It will soon also be available from selected bookshops in Durban and Johannesburg. Visit www.ndmazin2.wordpress.com for more info.

AFDA Annual Film Festival November 22, 23 and 24 – Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg

The AFDA Annual Film Festival, which showcases 3rd year, 4th year and master's graduation productions, will take place in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg the last weekend in November.

The festival is also a platform to promote the young professionals who will soon enter into the mainstream film and television industry. Students are required to conceptualize and produce their graduation films that, while of an artistically high standard are also commercially viable. At the festival a panel of industry professionals assesses the films and there are also opportunities for audiences to give feedback. The festival sees many industry professionals; alumni and general public gathering to celebrate the exhibition and promotion of these young film makers and their films at Ster-Kinekor in their commercial cinemas.

Last year student films such as ‘Kanye Kanye’ directed by Miklas Manneke, ‘Jean Pant’ directed by Rowen Smith, ‘Keeping Up Appearances’ directed by Thea Small and ‘The Brave Unseen’ co directed by Duan Myburgh attracted attention from major festivals such as the 34th Durban International Film Festival,  the New York City Picture Start Film Festival and others.

In addition the Cape Town AFDA campus will also showcase the work of the third and fourth Year School of Television students on November 18 at 17:00 for 18:00 till 22:30, food and beverage will be available. Working within the genre of the telenovela, third year students have written, produced and edited two stories. These projects are entirely the students’ own work: from conceptualizing the storyline, creating characters, set building and design, to the final product. Guests will have the opportunity to view a live broadcast of these two offerings on CTV Channel 263 on the DSTV.

Also in Cape Town the fourth years’ work takes on the form of the Documentary.  And once again these stories were conceived, set-up, scripted, shot and edited entirely by the students.  The film makers have approached issues and topics ranging from the despair of drug addiction and the sometimes successful search for hope and regeneration (Turning Point), to accepting the “call” to be a sangoma in the modern day post-Apartheid South Africa, (Isilawu), as well as attempting to address the sticky issue of informal settlements set against the backdrop of the fundamental right to own and protect one’s property (Isiqalo).

“This year’s festival will be just as exciting as in previous years,” says Garth Holmes, AFDA Chairman and co-founder, “Students have really put everything into their projects and I look forward to seeing their work on the big screen in a formal cinema and with a willing audience.”

The Film Festival takes place in Johannesburg at the Rosebank Cinema Nouveau on Friday and Saturday 22 and 23 November, in Cape Town at the V & A Cinema Nouveau on Saturday and Sunday 23 and 24 November and at the AFDA Durban Campus at 2A Highdale Road, Glen Anil in Glenashley on Saturday, 23 November. Tickets are R20 per screening in Cape Town, R25 in Johannesburg and R20 once-off festival entry in Durban.

For more information contact AFDA Johannesburg on (011) 482-8345, AFDA Durban on (031) 569-2252, AFDA Cape Town on (021) 448-7600 or log onto www.afda.co.za. The student films will be available on line on the website after the festival.

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Janet van Eeden's Double Shot At The Big Time

AFDA Durban Campus lecturer in Production Course, Academic Coordinator and Script Writing, Janet van Eeden has been invited to pitch her project at this year’s London Screen Writers Festival from 25 to 27 October and her lead actor Bradley Backhouse will pitch A Shot at the Big Time at the SME Funding Fair which will also be held in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, 25 October at the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business.

Hosted by Regent’s University in the heart of London, the London Screen Writer’s Festival is considered the greatest screen writers festival in the world. The festival is for writers & filmmakers, with insights into the screenwriting and filmmaking process as well as workshops and talks from top industry professionals along with pitching sessions. The Festival which is owned and operated by London Creative Festivals Ltd was launched in 2010 by Chris Jones, the filmmaker and director of The Guerilla Hanbook. Janet van Eeden and seventeen other writers and filmmakers from around the world have been selected to ‘Meet the Experts’ at this year’s festival out of 150 entries. “It is a great opportunity for me to pitch my project and find out different ways to source funding for the feature film, I am completely excited about going to this wonderful event,” said the screenwriter of White Lion, Janet van Eeden.

The panel of experts which David Nicholas Wilkinson has run annually since 1999 makes its debut at the LSF. The panel includes Producer David Nicholas Wilkinson, the founder and current owner of the Guerilla companies, David has participated in almost one hundred film panels chairing over thirty of them at the BAFTA, Screen Yorkshire, Screen South, Bradford, Galway Film Fleadh and many more. He also has devised and chaired MEET THE EXPERTS at the Edinburgh Film Festival with senior financiers, producers, commission editors and sales agents for over a decade.

British screenwriting team Richard Kurti and Bev Doyle also form part of the panel of experts, they first broke into the business by writing and selling a spec script, Newton’s Law, which then led to 14 further movie commissions from US studios such as Warner Bros, Universal, Laika and Intermedia; and UK companies such as Working Title, Pathe and BBC Films. Their shows have earned numerous awards and nominations, including… three BAFTA nominations, two Royal Television Society Awards and two RTS nominations for Going Postal; nomination for Outstanding Motion Picture Made for TV at the US Satellite Awards for Kidnapped; nomination for Best TV Series Drama at the Satellite Awards for Primeval.

Wrapping up the panel is Financier Gavin Poolman, born in Canada, Gavin graduated with an Honours B.A. in French Language and Literature from Trinity College, University of Toronto. Originally a software developer working on government and private sector contracts, after moving to the UK and graduating from the London Film School, he worked as an acquisitions and finance executive within Oscar-winning producer Jeremy Thomas’s Film Trustees/Glinwood Group, where he was involved in the financing and licensing of The Sheltering Sky, Naked Lunch, A Rage In Harlem, Howard’s End and The Crying Game. In 1994, Gavin was appointed Head of Development at sales agency Mayfair Entertainment International (Jefferson in Paris, Vanya On 42nd Street, Richard III).

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Poetry Africa - Prelude Poet Programme

17th Poetry Africa

International Poetry Festival

14-19 October 2013

Poetry Africa Prelude Poet Programme

The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), with principal funding from the City of Durban and the Department of Arts and Culture, calls out to the Durban’s creative and undiscovered poets to take part in the festival Prelude Poets programme as part of the 17th Poetry Africa International Festival.

The Poetry Africa festival, now in its 17th edition, takes place from 14 to 19 October 2013. The festival brings together some of the world’s finest poets and musicians to Durban, with artists from India, Nigeria, Ireland, Italy and The United States of America.

The 17th Poetry Africa, International Poetry Festival is looking for four of Durban’s brightest undiscovered poets to take part in Poetry Africa Prelude Poet programme. The programme gives the city’s creative and original poets the opportunity to showcase their hidden talents to audiences at the country’s premier poetry festival.

Participants will be required to audition original works with a five minute limit. Auditions are to take place at The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard College Campus) on 13 September 2013. Auditions and will be assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis. To book an audition time, please send an email with your name and contact details with the Poetry Africa Prelude Auditions in the subject title to paprelude2013@gmail.com

For more details about this year’s Poetry Africa, visit www.cca.ukzn.ac.za or call (031) 2602506

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts(University KwaZulu-Natal), the 17th Poetry Africa is funded by the City of Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture. The Centre for Creative Arts is housed in the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The CCA is a special project of the newly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, in the College of Humanities at UKZN.

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General Enquiries:

Phone: +27 (0)31 260 2506/1816

Fax:+27 (0)31 260 3074

Email: cca@ukzn.ac.za

Media Enquiries:

Kwazi Ngubane/ Nolwazi Magwaza

Mobile: +27 (073) 442-9347/ + 27 (076) 638-3546

Phone: +27 (031) 811-5628

Email: kwazi@versfeld.co.za or nolwazi@versfeld.co.za

Website: www.versfeld.co.za

Finalists of 16th BASA Awards Announced

The finalists of the 16th Annual Business Day BASA Awards, supported by Anglo American, have been announced.

This year’s finalists offer a fascinating snapshot of the varied ways businesses of different sizes can work with art projects that cover everything from visual arts to music, film, dance, architecture and much more. 

From the small PENMAC Audio Visual, which is nominated for a Small Business Award, to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, whose work with the Three2Six School for Refugee Children has seen it nominated for an Increasing Access to the Arts Award, the spectrum of business and arts partnerships celebrated by this year’s nominations is impressive. 

A leading contender is Rand Merchant Bank, which this year has earned nominations in the Long Term Partnership Award category for the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company’s Instrumental Training and Development project, as well as two nods in the Youth Development Award category, for the Durban Music School and the Dance XChange Project. 

Another multiple nominated finalist is PPC Ltd, which earned three nominations – Innovation Award, Long Term Sponsorship Award and Youth Development Award, the latter two for the PPC Young Concert Sculptors Award and the first for Re-imagine Concrete: Suzaan Heyns Spring/Summer 2012. 

National radio station, Ukhozi FM, got two nods (Innovation Award and Media Sponsorship Award) for Unyaka Wesethembiso Season 2. 

Diverse businesses nominated for projects in various categories include Bidvest Group Limited, Adidas, Estee Lauder Companies, the MTN Group and Arcelor Mittal. 

“What we are clearly seeing with the nominations for several big and medium sized enterprises is the ROI that partnering with an arts project can bring,” comments Michelle Constant, CEO of Business and Arts South Africa.

“This is a strong signal to South African business that working with an arts project is far more than a feel good exercise but brings shared value.” 

The organisers of the only awards celebrating business and arts partnerships in South Africa report seeing a noticeable increase in entries in 2013. Just under 170 arts and business projects entered this year, an increase on the 2012 figure. 

Chairman of the judging panel, Dr Andrew Human, notes the evolution in the range and quality of entries this year. 

“There is definitely far more recognition of the mutual benefit and value that arts can lend to business, as opposed to seeing a partnership with the arts as a charitable sponsorship. BASA is also looking at the strategic value that the arts can play in business – and that is reflected in the kind of entries we are starting to get.

“I was surprised by the scope of work,” comments judging panel newcomer Fikile Moeti aka FIX. “It makes you realise how much is happening, how much people are doing and how much originality is being applied. Art is not only sitting in galleries. It’s everywhere – in the CBD and out on the streets.” 

A total of 12 categories were open for entry in the 16th Annual Business Day BASA Awards. The Art Champion and Chairman’s Premier Award will also be presented at a gala ceremony in Johannesburg on 26 August. 

The judges for the 2013 BASA Awards are CEO of The Loerie Awards Dr Andrew Human (chairman); media consultant and editor of Destiny Man Kojo Baffoe; Sunday Independent arts critic Mary Corrigall and CEO of the Mastrantonio Group Giovanni Mariano. Three new judges who joined this year’s panel are television host and arts advocate Dali Tambo. 5fm DJ Fikile Moeti and Experiential Marketing Director at Ogilvy and Mather Thresho Selesho. 

The independent panel of judges evaluated the success of each partnership in achieving its objectives and in bringing genuine value and benefit to both partners. The Awards are audited by Grant Thornton. 

For more information call the BASA offices on 011 4472295 or e-mail info@basa.co.za or go to www.basa.co.za 

Finalists in the 16th Business Day BASA Awards 

Innovation Award 

-uMngeni Municipality - Nelson - Mandela Capture Site 
-ArcelorMittal South Africa - Southern Guild Collectable Design Gallery 
-PPC Ltd - Re-imagine Concrete: Suzaan Heyns Spring/Summer 2012 
-Ukhozi FM - Unyaka Wesethembiso Season 2 

First Time Sponsor Award 

-MTN Group - Four MTN & BTE VO1SS Concert Series 
-Citiq Group - Ithuba Arts Fund 
-MultiChoice - National Children’s Theatre - SSA Senior Executive Challenge 
-Bidvest Group Limited - Opening of the new Wits Art Museum 

Increasing Access to the Arts Award 

-Rainbow Farms - Listen With Your Eyes – Deaf Theatre Festival 
-Johannesburg Stock Exchange -Three2Six School for Refugee Children 
-Johannesburg Development Agency - Diepsloot Public Artworks Programme 
-Barrow Family Trust - Klein Karoo Klassique 

International Sponsorship Award 
-Standard Bank of South Africa - 20th Century Masters: the human figure 
-Norges Musikkorpes Forbund (NMF or Norwegian Band Federation) - Field Band Foundation 
-Total South Africa - Danse l'Afrique Danse 2012 
-Air Botswana - Cape Town City Ballet “Ballet Classics" 

Long Term Partnership Award 

-PPC Ltd - PPC Cement Young Concrete Sculptor Awards 
-Rand Merchant Bank - Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company - Instrumental Training and Development 
-ABSA - ABSA Intensive Film Training 
-ArcelorMittal South Africa - Southern Guild Collectable Design Gallery 

Media Sponsorship Award 

-RSG FM - ATKV-Muziq 
-City Press - National Arts Festival 
-Ukhozi FM - Unyaka Wesethembiso Season 2 
-Electronic Media Network - Cape Town Carnival 

Small Business Award 

-PENMAC Audio Visual - Johannesburg Youth Ballet - Hansel & Gretel 
-Alexander Bar & Café - Alexander Upstairs 
-Minuteman Press Fourways – Symphony Choir Johannesburg 

Single Strategic Project Award 

-Cement and Concrete Institute-OH14 A¨le Naude Santos and Antonio de Souza Santos Architectural Tour 
-Interactive Africa-Blikkies Dorp Library 
-Adidas South Africa-I ART JOBURG 
-UJ Arts & Culture-ACT UJ Arts & Culture 'The Art of the Creative Economy' Conference 

Sponsorship in Kind Award 

-Estee Lauder Companies – MAC -South African Mzansi Ballet 
-University of Johannesburg Arts & Culture - The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative (FATC) 
-Europcar-Clowns Without Borders South Africa 
-Cinema Nouveau-Opera Africa Young Artist Programme 

Youth Development Award 

-Air Products South Africa - SAMB / Air Products Development School-Alexandra 
-Sasol Limited-South African National Youth Orchestra 
-Rand Merchant Bank-Durban Music School 
-PPC Ltd-PPC Cement Young Concrete Sculptor Awards 
-Rand Merchant Bank-Dance XChange Project 

Arts & Environment Award, supported by Nedbank 

-Three City Events (Pty) Ltd-(eco)nversations GREEN ART 2012 
-uMngeni Municipality - Nelson Mandela Capture Site 
-Spier-The Dying Slave (2012) by Marco Cianfanelli 
-Plascon - Earth Hour Murals 

Mentor of the Year,supported by Etana Insurance 

-Niall Kramer - District Six Museum 
-Leanne Gitlin-Wits Art Museum 
-Hilton Lawler-Assemblage 
-Irma Albers-Jungle Theatre Company 

 

KWAZULU-NATAL TO HOST 2013 SIMON MABHUNU SABELA FILM AWARDS

The stage is set for the 2013 Simon Mabhunu Sabela Film Awards to be held at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Saturday, July 20 at 6pm.

The awards, an initiative of the KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism which is implemented by the newly-established KZN Film Commission and named in honour of the late South African Film legend and icon Mr Simon Mabhunu Sabela, are aimed at recognising outstanding achievers and excellence within South African and international film.

The MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Michael Mabuyakhulu, said the awards had been planned to coincide with the 34th Durban International Film Festival, and the Durban FilmMart.

“As we all know, Simon Mabhunu Sabela, in whose honour the Film Awards are named, was one of the doyens of both the big screen and television. Not only was he South Africa’s first Black film director, he also had a long and successful career which saw him feature in over 34 movies, both internationally and locally”, said Mabuyakhulu.

Simon Mabhunu Sabela starred alongside such well-known actors as Roger Moore, Lee Marvin, Anthony Quinn, Burt Lancaster and others. He died in 1994 at the age of 63.

Mabuyakhulu said the awards would be an annual event that would attract both an international and local audience but were also aimed at unearthing new talent from the province. “This year’s instalment of the awards will concentrate on honouring and celebrating pioneers, legends and veterans of South Africa’s film industry. We deliberately took this position because we felt that there was embarrassing backlog in terms of recognising those who have, and continue, to work to build our country’s burgeoning film industry”, said Mabuyakhulu.  

The 2013 Simon Mabhunu Sabela Film Awards evening will be a glamorous and star-studded affair which will be attended by the who’s who of the film industry. 

Among those who will be honoured are actors, producers, directors and various film technicians. 

For more information contact

, Siyabonga Maphumulo on 082 3034243 or email 

MaphumuloS@kznded.gov.za

.

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34th Durban International Film Festival 18-28 July 2013

2013 sees the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), with principal funding by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, return for its 34th year to celebrate the beauty and diversity of global cinema. From 18 to 28 July, Durban will be illuminated by the glow of the silver screen, with over 250 screenings in 11 venues across the city. Alongside this smorgasbord of the best of contemporary cinema from around, comprising 72 feature films, 48 documentaries and 45 short films, the festival offers a comprehensive workshop and seminar programme that facilitates the sharing of knowledge and skills by film industry experts. 

African Focus

The burgeoning African film industry will once more be represented at DIFF 2013, although South African film retains the key focus, with 12 feature films, as well as 16 documentaries and a number of short films – most receiving their world premieres on Durban screens in July.

This year's opening film is the ground-breaking African-noir work Of Good Report by Jahmil XT Qubeka. Telling the story of a serial killer obsessed with beautiful young girls, the film expands the language of African cinema. The festival’s closing film acknowledges Angela Davis, an important figure in the African diaspora, with the film Free Angela - and all political prisoners, directed by Shola Lynch.

High-profile South African films being showcased include Layla Fourie, The Forgotten Kingdom which is set in Lesotho, Felix, about a young township boy intent on following his dreams of being a musician, and The Good Man, an intriguing look at a globalised reality. 

Other SA films include Ian Robert’s Everyman's Taxi, Andrew Worsdale's long-awaited Durban Poison, Khumba, from animation studio Triggerfish. Blood Tokoloshe from Amariam Productions, Actorholic by Oliver Rodger, who gave us last year's Copposites, and African Gothic based on the Reza de Wet play Diepe Grond. 

From further afield, there are some cinematic gems, dealing with significant issues around life on the continent including Tall As The Baobab Tree, (Senegal), Yema, (Algeria), Virgin Margarida (Mozambique), The Battle Of Tabato (Guinea-Bissau, Portugal), Something Necessary (Kenya) and It's Us (Kenya) among others.

Contemporary Europe

This year’s programme showcases the multiple perspectives that define the cultural landscape of contemporary Europe and the diverse ways in which the continent's narratives are rendered. With support from organisations and partnerships such as EUNIC, World Documentary Exchange and Festival Scope, audiences can expect some superb European films, including Sally Potter’s Ginger and Rosa, Michael Winterbottom’s The Look of Love and Bernardo Bertolucci’s Me and You, his first film in more than a decade. 

American Independents

There is a strong showcase of American independent films at this year's DIFF including Wrong the latest film from Quentin Dupieux who gave us the DIFF cult-hit Rubber in 2011 and Spring Breakers from Harmony Korine. Francine tells the small and delicately drawn story of a socially inept woman who has just come of out prison, while The Place Beyond the Pines is the highly anticipated new drama from director Derek Cianfrance who gave us Blue Valentine. 

Sexual Identities

This year DIFF acknowledges the wide diversity of sexual identities being explored on contemporary screens, no doubt a reflection of a global trend towards a broader dialogue around sexual difference. The selection of both documentaries and features include Dennis Cotes’ drama Vic+Flo Saw a Bear which chronicles the relationship between an ex-convict and her younger female lover, Valentine Road which provides a sociological post-mortem on the death of a young transgender boy, and The Future in which a young girl becomes a sexual companion to a blind former action hero. Then there’s Pussy Riot - A Punk Prayer, about the infamous Russian girl group, I Am Divine a biopic about the gender-bending singer and artist Divine and Born This Way, about the lives of gay and lesbian people in Cameroon.

ZombieFest!

With literally hundreds of Zombie films currently scheduled for release around the world, DIFF 2013 showcases a selection of films from the current Zombie wave. Headlining this mini-focus area is the long-awaited remake of the Evil Dead which conforms in many ways to the classic zombie genre.

World Cinema

A host of award-winning films from around the world will screen at DIFF 2013, including works from some of contemporary cinema's most luminous talents. From Chinese director Wong Kar Wai comes The Grandmaster, which opened Berlin this year, while Canadian director David Cronenberg descends once more into the darkness with Cosmopolis based on the Don deLillo novel. Takeshi Kitano, the king of stylised violence, delivers Outrage Beyond, while the enigmatic Closed Curtain comes from banned Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. Deepa Mehta gives us a gorgeously sprawling rendition of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children while Danish director Thomas Vinterberg's The Hunt will chill you to the bone. Then there's the exciting news that Ashgar Farhadi,  whose A Separation  won both the best Foreign Picture Oscar this year as well as best film at DIFF 2012, returns with his latest film The Past. 

Feast of Doccies

There is a wealth of documentaries to satisfy a spectrum of tastes and interests at this year’s festival. And of course, there's a strong selection from South Africa, where the documentary form is growing in stature and volume. Riaan Hendrick's  The Devil's Lair transports us deep into a claustrophobic drug den on the Cape Flats, while celebrated local documentary-maker Damon Foster gives us a window into the life of a very special crocodile with Touching The Dragon. Angels in Exile is a moving documentary about two proud yet impoverished children who live on the streets of Durban and The Creators pays tribute to the creative power of South Africa's youth, including acclaimed graffiti artist Faith 47. From further afield African Metropolis is a collection of short slices of reality from around the continent. The Spirit of 45, from British feature director Ken Loach looks at the enduring influence of the labour movement during the war years while More Than Honey tells of the importance of maintaining the earth's bee population and Algorithms presents the riveting story of blind chess players in India.

Wavescape Surf Film Festival

For the ninth year, DIFF partners with Wavescape to present a feast of surfing cinema, including 11 features and 5 shorts. Wavescape opens with a free outdoor screening at the Bay of Plenty Lawns on Sunday 21 July.

The Films That Made Me

For the first time this year, DIFF presents a repertory section in which film fans and filmmakers have the opportunity to access a slice of film history. In ‘The Films That Made Me’, South African director Jahmil XT Qubeka presents five films that have been influential in his growth as a filmmaker. 

Talent Campus

The 6th Talent Campus Durban will bring together the creativity of 50 selected filmmakers from 18 different countries in Africa, chosen from over 450 submissions, who will take part in a series of masterclasses, workshops and industry networking opportunities during the festival. 

Durban FilmMart

Now in its 4th year, the Durban FilmMart, a partnership project between DIFF and the Durban Film Office, supported by the City of Durban, is a film finance and co-production market presented in three strands – Finance Forum, Master Classes and the Africa in Focus seminars.  The DFM master class and networking programme is open to registered delegates only. See www.durbanfilmmart.com for further details.

Wild Talk

DIFF is pleased to announce that a strategic partnership has been formed with Durban Wild Talk Africa, the continent’s most respected natural history film festival and conference, which takes place from July 23 to 26.  A selection of nine natural history films have been chosen from 445 entries from across the globe, to be screened at the festival. Registration for the Wild Talk conference is available at http://wildtalkafrica.com/register/.

Venues and Tickets

The festival hub is at the Blue Waters Hotel, with principal screening venues at Suncoast Cinecentre, Ster Kinekor Musgrave, Cinema Nouveau Gateway, Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre and Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre in KwaMashu. Programme booklets with the full screening schedule and synopses of all the films and ticket prices will be available free at cinemas, and other outlets. For full festival details see www.durbanfilmfest.co.za or call 031 260 2506. Programme will be available online from July 1.

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) the Durban International Film Festival is supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, City of Durban, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, Industrial Development Corporation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture, and a range of other valued partners.

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The 34th Durban International Film Festival announces its opening night film

Raising the curtain at the 34th Durban International Film Festival, which is principally funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, is the challenging and evocative, yet humorous film, Of Good Report, from South African director Jahmil XT Qubeka. In what he describes as “a passionate homage to classic film noir”, Qubeka’s latest offering, which has its world premiere at the festival on July 18, tells the sombre tale of a small-town high-school teacher with a penchant for young girls. The director’s third feature is an hypnotically engaging journey into the soul of a mentally troubled man.

The trouble for Parker Sithole (Mothusi Magano) begins when he accepts an invitation to a drinking session at the local tavern. Here, he meets the undeniably gorgeous Nolitha Ngubane (Petronella Tshuma). Captivated by her beauty, Parker experiences an ecstasy he’s never known before and truly feels like a man reborn. From this mutual attraction, an illicit affair ensues. However, there ’s just one problem: the beautiful Nolitha is one of Parker’s pupils and just sixteen years old. Parker quickly spirals into a deep obsession that ultimately turns to a tragedy.

Six months later, the sociopathic Parker has moved on from his previous job. Trudging along the barren landscape, he stumbles upon an opportunity for a fresh start. According to a caption on an old strewn newspaper, there is a shortage of teachers in Zimbabwe. A qualified educator like him shouldn't struggle to find a post; after all, he does come ‘of good report’.

In Qubeka’s words, Of Good Report, which is produced by Mike Auret and Luzuko Dilima (Spier Films), “is a serial killer origins story about how a social misfit turns into an inadequate man hell-bent on satisfying his shameful lust. It is Little Red Riding Hood, told from the wolf’s perspective.”

The director of television programmes and documentaries for production houses such as Ochre Media and Urban Brew Studios, Qubeka’s documentary and feature film work has screened at festivals around the world. He has directed Talk to Me, an hour-long HIV/Aids documentary special with Sesame Street New York, which won the Peabody Award for best Actuality Programming. He also produced the low budget feature film uMalusi, which was released by Ster Kinekor in March 2009. His second feature, A Small Town Called Descent enjoyed its world premiere at the 31st Durban International Film Festival, and won the Founders' Award for Narrative Feature at the Pan African Film Festival.201

Says Peter Machen, newly appointed manager of the Durban International Film Festival: “We are extremely happy to be opening DIFF 2013 with Jahmil's brave and remarkable film. Of Good Report does so much more than simply telling a South African story – the film redefines the local filmmaking landscape and extends the language of African filmmaking while acknowledging the rich history of global cinema”.

The Durban International Film Festival takes place from July 18 – 28, 2013. The Festival includes 170 theatrical screenings, a full seminar/workshop programme as well as the Wavescape Film Festival and industry initiatives: the 6th Talent Campus Durban (in cooperation with the Berlin Talent Campus) and the 4th Durban FilmMart (the co-production market in partnership with the Durban Film Office), with the Wild Talk Africa Festival taking place in the city from July 23 to 26. For more information go to www.durbanfilmfestival.co.za

The 34th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) with support by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, City of Durban, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, Industrial Development Corporation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture, and a range of other valued partners.

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Durban FilmMart - Selected Projects Announced

Durban, South Africa: Eighteen projects by African filmmakers have been selected for the finance forum of the Durban FilmMart (DFM) which takes place from July 19 to 22 during the 34th Durban International Film Festival (July 18 to 28).

The Durban FilmMart, which is a co-production, finance market, and filmmakers networking event, is a joint programme of the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF). The event, an important event on the South African film calendar, is an opportunity for filmmakers, financiers and top film experts to gather and share expertize, explore new ventures and keep up to date with industry trends.

The finance forum of the DFM provides filmmakers from across Africa an opportunity to pitch their projects to international financiers, distributors, sales agents and potential co-producers, as well as meet experts in master classes, attend meetings and engage with industry professionals. 

“The Durban FilmMart, which attracted around 350 delegates last year, is now firmly established as a prominent project development and finance forum on the continent,” said Toni Monty of the Durban Film Office, who is currently at Cannes to promote the DFM. “ We are pleased that the filmmakers are now looking to this market as a valuable step in the development of their projects.”

A total of 113 submissions, comprising 31 documentaries and 82 features were received, out of which eight documentaries and 10 fiction projects were selected. A Reader Panel of African and international film professionals assessed these projects and made the selection based on a number of standard criteria. The directors and producers of these projects will have one-on-one meetings with potential investors and co-producers at the Finance Forum. 

“Making film is not simple process. Months and years of planning go into developing concepts and projects. The DFM allows filmmakers an opportunity to unpack and investigate financing possibilities for their projects and it can provide the momentum to shift projects to the next level.” says Peter Machen, the manager of the DIFF. “We look forward to seeing how the DFM paves the way for further opportunities for these African filmmakers.” 

Selected Documentaries

Blindness (South Africa): Directed by Sarah Ping Nie Jones and produced by Jean Meeran  

Behind the Falls (South Africa): Directed by Rowan Pybus and produced by  Sydelle Willow Smith

Miners Shot Down (South Africa): Directed/Produced by Rehad Desai, produced/written and co-directd by Anita Khanna and produced by Brian Tilley 

Not Just a Stripper (South Africa): Directed and produced by Izette Mostert 

GTI – Paradise in Hell (Rwanda): Directed and produced by Yves Montand 

Searching for Janitou (Algeria): Directed by Mohamed el Amine Hattou and produced by Anusha Nandakumar and co-produced by Claire Mazeau-Karoum 

Unearthed (South Africa): Directed and produced by Jolynn Minnaar

We Want Development (Kenya): Directed by Phillipa Ndisi-Hermann and produced by Atieno Odenyo 

Selected Fiction Projects

Andani and the Mechanic (South Africa): Directed and produced by Sara Blecher 

Black Sunshine (Ghana): Directed by Akosua Adoma Owusu and co-produced by Julio Chavezmontes and Angele Diabang

Five Fingers for Marseilles (South Africa): Directed and produced by Michael Matthews and written and produced by Sean Drummond 

Free the Town (Kenya): Directed by Nikyatu Jusu and produced by Vincho Nchogu 

Life More or Less (Nigeria): Directed by Julius Morno and produced by Kinsley Madueke 

Njangi- Fifty Fifty (Cameroon): Directed and produced by Victor Viyuoh 

Sea Monster (South Africa): Directed by Anthony Silverston and co-produced by  Stuart Forrest and Mike Buckland 

Solidarity (Zambia): Directed by Rungano Nyoni and produced by Juliette Grandmont 

The Bill (South Africa): Directed by Nosipho Dumisa and produced by Travis Taute 

Whiplash (South Africa): Directed by Meg Rickards and produced by Jacky Lourens 

The 4th edition of the Durban FilmMart takes place from 19-22 July 2013, during the 34th edition of the DIFF (18-28 July 2012).  Filmmakers who did not submit projects for official selection can still register as delegates for the event and enjoy the expert panels, master classes and networking opportunities. Registration will officially open on June 6, 2013. For more information or to register go to www.durbanfilmmart.com

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African Renaissance Youth Conference

The Elangeni Hotel: Tues May 21

IgniteSA.com in association with the African Renaissance Trust, is hosting a one day youth oriented conference “The Future Speaks” in Durban at the Elangeni Hotel on Tuesday 21 May 2013 focused around the themes of Developing Knowledge, Opportunities and Sustainable Leadership Today.

The festival delegates and speakers will debate and examine broad issues relating to re-defining and re-building the African continent through access to and the development of  the continents own rich, economic, infrastructure, civic and political resources.  There are four components to the festival - starting with the Youth Conference, followed by the main Conference which takes place on May 23 and 24; a Gala Banquet on May 24 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Conference Centre,  and the Africa Day Concert at the ICC Arena on May 25.

The Youth Conference features an outstanding line-up of speakers who will speak on matters of relevance to young and aspirant scholars, graduates, professionals and entrepreneurs.

The programme features prominent speakers including: 

Bonnke Shipalana – CEO of The Communications Firm, Inspirational Speaker and the Programme Director

Vusi Thembekwayo – The Rockstar of Public Speaking!

Napo Ramodibedi – MD of Mendi Maritime Services and Mendi Rail and Engineering

Eleanor Potter – GM: Branded Retail Channel MTN  

Vuyisa Qabaka – CEO of Abaphumeleli Business Consultants and Non Executive Director of SABEF

Ryan McFadyen – MD of Have You Heard Marketing

Mweli Ndaba – Manager: Corporate Finance Advisory Deloitte

Olivier Barbeau – Managing Partner: Moore Stephens

Also attending the conference will be The Chairperson of the Organising Committee of the African Renaissance, Prof Sihawu Ngubane and the Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Sibusiso Ndebele.

The IgniteSA.com team will be launching their new brand and digital media platforms on the day and Lynette Ntuli will be presenting an insight on the position and opportunity of youth in South Africa and the continent.

The founding directors of IgniteSA.com are Lynette Ntuli, Lyle Krause; Dax Barker and Marc Rosenberg. They are a collective of young entrepreneurial South Africans, who have worked and become leaders in various industries and their own ventures, but are united in their common love and belief in their country – South Africa.

The team is committed to creating opportunities for youthful entrepreneurs through IgniteSA.com, a value-based movement and mass digital and mobile media platform that aims to mobilise young and established leadership within South Africa towards active citizenry through networking and collective dialogue on socio economic matters, business, leadership, educational and development issues, share relevant and topical information, create empowering initiatives and avail access to key personalities and thought leaders in various industries and organisations.

“We wanted to walk our talk and more importantly, we wanted to make a difference through proactively taking on the challenges and opportunities facing our country and its people,” said Lyle Krause.

“Our vision is to carve a future orientated pipeline of empowered, informed young leaders, aged between 16 and 30 now, who will rise to create opportunities for themselves and for the communities they will come to influence, he continued.

Entry is free and all are welcome. Registration opens at 07:30 until 08:30am and the conference will end at 16h30. For more information, contact Lynette Ntuli and Lyle Krause from IgniteSA.com on 031 562 1582 / 083 311 7643 / 083 657 0178 | F: 086 270 7912 | lynette@ignitesa.com andlyle@ignitesa.com

Local Filmmakers Attend Tribeca Film Festival in New York

​Two Durban filmmakers, Noel Kok of NB Productions and Ntokozo Motloung of Ntozakhe Productions, were recently selected as part of a South African delegation to attend the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in New York. The outbound trade mission, organised and funded by the Cape Film Commission, in partnership with the Department and Trade and Industry's SASS scheme, took place from 17 to 28 April and provided these local filmmakers with an opportunity to participate in an exciting programme of meetings and activities coordinated by the Cape Film Commission and the South African Consulate in New York.

The Cape Film Commission's CEO, Denis Lillie commented, “We would like to thank Toni Monty and everyone at the Durban Film Office for their invaluable support to this mission together with the support they gave their local filmmakers. We took the opportunity to create a platform for the 20 SA filmmakers in attendance to showcase their work to 150 representatives of the New York Film community at a special event hosted at the SA Consulate. At this event we also highlighted the prestigious Durban FilmMart and Durban International Film Festival and invited everyone to attend.”

The Tribeca Film Festival’s mission is to help filmmakers reach the broadest possible audience, enabling the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promote New York City as a major filmmaking centre. The Tribeca Film Festival is well-known for being a diverse international film festival that supports emerging and established directors. 

Twenty-eight year old film-maker, Ntokozo Motloung from KwaMashu is currently in production of a documentary called “Why I am a Sangoma” which follows the journey of five young women going through initiation school and leaving their lives behind to become traditional healers, and learning about nature and the environment. 

“It was so magnificent to see the city of New York, it was just as you see it on the big screen,” enthuses Ntokozo, a graduate of the Wildlife Film School. “It was a wonderful experience to have visited so many different locations and to have had the opportunity to network with some of the industry’s biggest financiers and producers, which has helped me enormously in developing my project."

Qhawe Lama Qhawe (Hero of Heroes) is the title of Noel Kok’s current project, a 2D and 3D animated full-length feature film, which will be in isiZulu with English subtitles.

“For decades children around the world have looked up to their superheroes, called their names out in times of need and almost always imagined themselves as one, with super powers, the strength to do right, to protect society and the world and the physical strength to fight evil and villains. In South Africa and Africa our children continue to live by ideals set by Hollywood and the United States - believing in a superhero living a life so distant from their own.” says Kok. “So we have set out to make a film which speaks to this – our own African superheroes.” 

“The experience of being at Tribeca felt very similar to the Durban International Film Festival and the Durban FilmMart with famous stars attached. “says Glenwood-based Kok. “Being there enabled me to further develop my project, and has helped to clarify the global stage, as well clearly spelling out what I need in order to operate in this space.”

“We are really pleased that these local filmmakers were given an opportunity to join the South African delegation to attend Tribeca, and applaud the Cape Film Commission for putting the initiative together.” says Toni Monty of the Durban Film Office. 

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Local Filmmaker's Short for Durban International Film Festival and National Arts Festival

A Shot at the Big Time, a short film by award-winning Durban film-maker, Janet van Eeden, has been selected for the Durban International Film Festival and will be the screened as part of a Think!Fest panel on the Legacy of Apartheid Conference during the National Arts Festival this July.

The film, inspired by the story of van Eeden’s brother, Jimmy, who died on the border three days after arriving in 1979, during the Apartheid Border Wars, is directed by Australian based Stephen de Villiers, produced by Janet van Eeden and London-basedMagda M. Olchawska, with Durban-based director of photography, Luke Pallett. Original songs have been written by Jonathan Handley, of the eighties Radio Rats fame, while the score has been composed by John McGuiness.

Van Eeden is Production Course Coordinator and Screenwriting lecturer at AFDA in Durban She’s written and produced many stage plays. She wrote the script for the internationally-acclaimed White Lion (2010).  She says that it has taken nine years to write the poignant story inspired by her brother’s death. The short was produced as a promo for the full length feature, in the hopes of attracting further funds.

The film, which was shot on location in Pietermaritzburg and surrounds, features Sean C. Michael from Cape Town, as Staff Sergeant Van Staden, AFDA graduate Brad Backhouse as Jimmy, the small-town rock star with a big time future, who is drafted into the army, celebrated actor, Tim Wells, who plays the role of Corporal Wiese. UKZN Drama student, TQ Zondi, plays the role of Petrus, Jimmy’s friend. Others in the cast include Caitlin Harrison as Jess, Cade White as young Jimmy, Livvy Henning as young Jess and Mapumelelo Maphumulo as young Petrus.

“After many years of trying to find the right producer to make this film in the way that would pay tribute to my brother and others who died needlessly in this war, I decided to take the reins into my own hands and produce this film myself,” explains van Eeden.

Inspired by Peter Broderick, a US crowd-funding expert who spoke at the Durban Film Mart two years ago, she launched her own crowd-funding campaign on IndieGoGo.com on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 2011, Remembrance Day, in honour of all those fallen in war.

“It was at a time of personal turmoil for me and I wasn’t too sure I knew what I was doing, but I posted a Youtube clip of a song written especially for A Shot at the Big Time by musician friend, Jonathan Handley and put it up alongside the, by now, well-honed treatment of the film.”

“I had no idea of the response this film would receive, but within hours, the story touched a chord in so many hearts of people around the world. Not only were people donating money, they were also donating skills. This was a true labour of love with a string of people volunteering including the full cast, a team of Media Honours students from UZKN under the guidance of Navikiran Babulai and Karel Schmidt who created the EPK, graphics design company, Visual Graphics, based in Australia who designed the poster, publicist Sharlene Versfeld, photographer Val Adamson, wardrobe mistress Kirsty Geldart-Mitchell and first assistant director Stuart Nixon.”

“Money came from the most unexpected sources, and although we didn’t raise a huge amount, it captured the imagination of these amazing people.  It was then I knew that this film had universal appeal and just had to be made.” she says.

Three months of concentrated pre-production went into the making of this demanding short, due to the military nature of the film. There had to be intense attention to detail in the military scenes and van Eeden was able to secure the services of Sergeant Major Mike Bond from the Natal Carbineers Unit in Pietermaritzburg who gave the crew access to military weapons and uniforms and ensured that every single detail on each of the thirteen military uniforms was 100% accurate.

Last year, the feature film project was selected for the Durban FilmMart and this year the short will be screened at the Durban International Film Festival (July 18 - 28), which attracts a significant number of industry guests and an audience of close to 32 000.

Van Eeden will be speaking on a panel at the Legacy of Apartheid Conference at the National Arts Festival in July where the film will be screened. “I will be drawing on my own experience as a sister of a young man who lost his life as a result of the mental anguish he underwent as a victim of conscription. I will also reveal the very tough road I undertook to tell this story, which I might add, was met with some frightening resistance from unknown entities in cyberspace, determine to deny that this kind of thing ever actually happened. This of course has made me even more determined to tell this story, in its full feature form.”

For more information go to www.shotthemovie.com or email janet@janetvaneeden.com.

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AFDA (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance) Durban to host Open Day on April 6

AFDA (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance) Durban will host another Open Day for prospective students on Saturday, 6 April from 10am to 12noon.

The new campus which opened its doors in February this year, now boasts 63 students in the first year intake and according to the Chairman of AFDA, Garth Holmes, students and academic and administrative staff have settled in superbly to the Durban school.

This Open Day will provide prospective students, parents and guests a greater understanding about the AFDA programme with introductions from the Campus Dean Franco Human and lecturing staff, as well as demonstrations and performances from current first year students. There will also be a screening the AFDA 2013 Oscar Nominated Honours film, Kanyekanye (23 minutes).

The AFDA Durban Campus is situated in Glen Anil, Durban North, and boasts a strong line up of academic staff drawn from the film and live performance industries. Franco Human, an experienced producer and film maker, film-maker Richard Green is Head of the Film School, director, actor and playwright Rajesh Gopie, is Head of the Live Performance School, and scriptwriter and film-maker Janet van Eeden, is production course administrator and script writing lecturer. 

Prospective students can contact Durban-based Marketing Officer, Milena Gevers for more information on milenag@afda.co.zaor call 031 569 2252. For more info about the school go to www.afda.co.za

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David Gouldie's Magic for New Beach Event March 22

City of Durban to host New Beach Dance Extravaganza for BRICS Summit

To celebrate the BRICS summit, the City of Durban will host the New Beach Dance Extravaganza, a free street party at New Beach (the old Dolphinarium site at the bottom of West Street) on Friday, March 22 from 6pm to Midnight.

Staged by one of Durban’s most creative brains, David Gouldie of Urban Edge, the New Beach Dance Extravaganza is styled very much on the lines of last year’s highly successful Jomba City experience at the Skate Park.

This is a family event, which features a main stage with Metro FM Award winners for best group – The Muffins, Afritude, DJ’s and Slam Poets including the inimitable MC Ewok.

To honour the various cultures represented at the BRICS Summit, dancers from the Flatfoot-, Breakthru-, Nateshwa Dance Companies and the Vuka Dancers will perform Brazilian, Russian, Indian, Chinese and South African inspired dances.

Expect to enjoy Tai Chi demonstrations, a drumming circle, live performance art installations, “Art in the Park” arranged by Artspace with live artists exhibiting works as well as graffiti artists being inspired by the five countries represented as they create their work on site.

Durban’s favourite creative market, the I Heart Market will offer creative goods for sale and wholesome fresh food and refreshments.

The event is free to all. Bring picnic blankets or chairs. There is lots of parking at the beachfront and there will be visible security and a strong police presence.

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CHANGE OF DATE - NLDTF Arts and Culture Presentation to the Film Sector at the Centre for Creative Arts, UKZN

Please note change of date for this.​

The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund advertised their call for applications for Arts, Culture and Heritage on 03 February 2013 with the closing date being Friday 12 April 2013.  The Arts, Culture and Heritage division wishes to make equitable distribution across the sectors that fall under their mandate.  Over the years that NLDTF has been in existence, the film sector has been an industry that does not seem to be aware of NLDTF funding.   NLDTF wishes to make a presentation to the sector and make them aware of the trust’s mandate as well as compliance requirements. 

The presentation details will be as follows:

Date: Friday 15 March 2013

Time: 09:00 – 12:00

Venue: Centre for Creative Arts Boardroom, Mazisi Kunene Ave, University of KwaZulu Natal

Contact: 031-2602506

All questions around NLDTF within the sector funding will be handled during the session. 

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AFDA Alumni and Students Shine with 24 Nominations at 2013 SAFTA Awards

AFDA (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance) alumni and students have been nominated for a total of 24 awards in the 2013 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA).

The annual SAFTA awards, which takes place on March 15 and 16, is the premier film and television industry awards under the custodianship of the National Film and Video Foundation. The award's main objectives is to honour, celebrate and promote the creativity, quality and excellence of South African film and television talent, and encourage entrepreneurship and the development of new talent in the industry.

“We are hugely proud that 20 of our graduates or alumni have been nominated in various categories, three of our current students have been nominated in the three student categories and one student has been nominated in a professional category.” says a delighted Garth Holmes, Chairman of AFDA.

The Alumni nominations include:

Amanda Lane for Best Director of a TV drama series - 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls, 

Richard Lukunku for Best Actor in TV drama series for his role as Phaka in Mshika Shika, 

Xolile Tshabalalala for Best Actress in TV drama series for her role Noma in 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls.  

Brent Quinn (who is AFDA’s Head of the Film in Johannesburg) for Best Writing team of a TV drama series for Soul City, 

Tom Marais for Best DOP / Cinematographer of a TV drama series for Soul City, 

Quinn Lubbe  and C.A. Van Aswegen for Best Editor of a TV drama series– Hartland, 

Gerrida Venter for Best Production Design of a drama series for 90 Plein Street, 

Marna Heunis for 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls and Larissa Peters for Zone14.

Leroy Gopal for Best Actor in TV comedy Ses’Top La, 

Best Ensemble in TV comedy – Ses ‘Top La – Black Brain Pictures cc (Luke Rous, Tumi Masemola, Owen Swanson and Mandla Ndimande), 

Greg Heimann and Koen Kriel for Best DOP/Cinematographer of TV soap – The Wild, 

Thomas Gumede for Best Actor in a feature film - Otelo Burning, 

Trevor Calverley for Best Cinematographer of a feature film - Material, 

Jackie Lotz for Best Production of a feature film – Zama Zama, and 

Mia Zwiegers for Best Costume Designer in Zama Zama.

AFDAs 3rd and 4th year crew have also been nominated for best student films these include:

Miklas Manneke, (whose film Kanye Kanye is also up for a student Oscar), Jade Galbraith - AFDA Johannesburg for E-lectricity, 

Rudi Steyn, Martina Della Togna, Gianfranco Human (who is Dean of the new AFDA school in Durban), Sarah Muhoho – AFDA Cape Town for Lyfstraf, and 

Etienne Fourie, Robyn Oetle – AFDA Cape Town for Die Windpomp.

“This brings the AFDA student film nomination tally to 19 out of a possible 21 nominations over the past seven years, which AFDA has won five out of a possible seven times.” says Holmes. “We are all delighted that our student Kyle Stevenson (AFDA Cape Town) has been nominated for Best Short Film in the professional category for There Are No Heroes, a remarkable accolade for this young film-maker. We wish them all well and look forward to the Awards.”

For more information about AFDA contact Mandy Day on 021 448 7600 or mandy@afda.co.za or go on www.afda.co.za.

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The World of Dogs & Cats and Pet Exhibition

The World of Dogs & Cats and Pet Exhibition: Durban Exhibition Centre

South Africa’s most exciting pet event, The World of Dogs & Cats Pet Exhibition makes a welcome return to the Durban Exhibition Centre from 22 to 24 February.

This much-loved family event, which was first held in Durban in 1996 is packed full of interesting exhibitors as well as fun demonstrations and displays all aimed at encouraging responsible pet ownership. Expect to see a variety of dog and cat breeds as well as pets with a difference such as hedgehogs, lizards, fish, snakes, rats, mice, hamsters, frogs, spiders, iguanas rabbits and birds  and all sorts of other interesting furry-, scaly- and feathery- companions.

There are over 60 exhibitors featuring everything needed to ensure the optimum well-being of one’s pet from nutrition and diet, kennels and bedding, accessories such as toys and games to pet fashions, transportation and health products. Experts in all these areas will be on hand to discuss visitors’ needs and offer advice. Dog and Cat Breeders and clubs will also be on hand to provide helpful information on owning a particular breed, and a number of animal rescue organisations will be on hand to offer advice on adoption. 

Two demonstration arenas will feature events showcasing various dog breeds in a Best of Breed competition including youngsters with their puppies as well as obedience, agility, dog jumping and flyball competitions. There is a nail-biting 60-Pole Weaving Challenge for dogs, a delightful dog-carting display, a Police Dog Display, Dancing with Dogs, an SA Guide Dog Display and a Canine Good Citizen display and the popular canine survivor competition.

For cat-lovers, WODAC is once again delighted to be hosting the 2013 WODAC National Cat Show with many different breeds of felines being featured with only one winner the coveted title of National Winner.

Other highlights include the South African dog-dancing champions - Xandre Dearden with Finn her Border Collie - who will be representing SA at  the International Crufts Dog Show in England in March this year. A Celebrity Challenge which sees local celebs trying their hand at taking dogs around an agility course – to much hilarity and laughter – all for a good cause as all money raised is matched by the organisers and donated to the Wodac sponsored animal charities represented at the show.

The World of Dogs & Cats and Pet Exhibition provides an avenue to learn more about different dogs, cats, reptiles and other fascinating creatures and the joys as well as the responsibilities of being a pet-owner.

Tickets prices are R50 for adults and R25 for children under 12, with children under 2 free on the Friday, and over the weekend R60 for adults and R25 for children with under 2's  free. Tickets are available at Computicket and at the door  at the Durban Exhibition Centre. For more information go to www.dogscats.co.za or email dogscats@iafrica.com. Follow on Facebook or Twitter @WODAC.