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Otelo Burning director receives US grant

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:07
Otelo Burning poster

South African director Sara Blecher was awarded the IFP Adrienne Shelly Director’s Grant in New York last week for her work on the film Otelo  Burning.   

The response from the judges to the film was overwhelming. Andy Ostroy, the founder of the foundation, remarked: “I was utterly blown away by this film. I fell in love with the characters and their journey from the get‐go and was riveted throughout. It was beautifully shot and told, and the story is heartwarming, inspiring and tragic all at the same time.”

The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, dedicated to actress and filmmaker Adrienne Shelly, promotes the advancement of talented women filmmakers through the aid of grants. The IFP Labs Director’s Grant (also known as the Adrienne Shelly Director’s Grant) is in its 5th year of existence and is awarded to a promising filmmaker each year.

Adrienne Shelly was an American actress, screenwriter and director. She died tragically in 2007, whilst filming Waitress. Her late husband founded the Adrienne Shelly Foundation in her memory.

This is an incredible achievement for both the film and for Sara Blecher. “I am thrilled and honoured and so excited that the film seems to be finding an audience in America,” Blecher said upon hearing the news. 

Sara is a first time feature film director. She directed, co­produced and co‐wrote the film. Sara’s other work includes; Zero Tolerance, which was nominated for an Emmy Award, the award‐winning drama Bay of Plenty and the highly acclaimed documentary Surfing  Soweto. Sara is a former recipient of the CNN African Journalist of the Year Award.

The grant will go towards the marketing and distribution of the film.

Otelo Burning is currently on the international festival circuit. It has been featured at Durban International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival and the London International Film Festival. The film has also been selected for the Dubai International Film Festival and the 8th Annual Chennai International Festival. It will be released in South Africa in March 2012.



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