The Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) has announced that the second season of ‘Gauteng Bioscope’ will start today, 1 February, with more than 30 confirmed screenings scheduled across various townships of Gauteng.

The free screenings of a selection of contemporary African cinema will take place during February and March in eight townships with the first four screenings taking place in Kliptown, Dobsonville, Swaneville and Muldersdrift this coming weekend. Confirmed titles include Vincent Moloi’s “A Pair of Boots and a Bi-Cycle”, Teboho Pietersen’s “Zizipho”, Maishi Teffo’s “Tonship – The Stories Untold” and Ntokozo Mahlalela’s “Tribes and Clans”.

‘Gauteng Bioscope’ is an initiative of the GFC and is aimed at re-establishing a vibrant township film circuit. The first season, implemented during 2007 in partnership with the Film Resource Unit, saw 96 screenings in 18 townships across Gauteng and was hugely successful with both younger and older audiences who normally to do not have regular access to cinemas.

“The films we have selected this year will cater for all age groups and will, in particular, promote independently produced, local content that tell stories that capture the South African experience and landscape”, says Terry Tselane, chief executive of GFC.

“The historic Sans Souci in Soweto and other cinemas around townships throughout South Africa were lively social gathering places which pioneered a love of film. Sadly, the events of the late 80’s eroded much of this communal film culture. The GFC would like to see this collective culture restored. Equally important is to find alternatives to the established distribution networks to make a wider choice of content available to the broader community,” he said.

For a detailed screening programme, please contact the GFC at 011 833 0409 or log onto: www.gautengfilm.org.za