FILM NEWS

Short film contest

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:31

Satellite pay-TV platform DStv has launched the Film Talent Celebration Competition and calls on filmmakers across South Africa to enter to celebrate the art of very short-filmmaking. Entries close on 29 February.

Says Itumeleng Letebele, Corporate Social Investment manager at MultiChoice (owner of the DStv platform): “Short films are becoming increasingly popular mostly because they are easily accessible to a wider audience via platforms such as mobile devices, tablets and online platforms.”

She notes that the competition came about because DStv contributes towards skills development in the film industry through its Film Skills Development programme. “DStv celebrates the talent graduating from the programme and has expanded this platform to include the celebration of broader industry talent.

“This competition is open to any filmmaker who believes that their three- to 10-minute short film, in any genre, can have an impact in the industry. Only filmmakers who are South African citizens can enter their films.

“While the competition celebrates talent the winners will also walk away with cash prizes. It is expected that this cash will be ploughed back into making more films that tell South African stories.”

There are five judges in total ranging from distributors to top filmmakers and all five are outside of MultiChoice and sister company M-Net. They will select winners for each of the six categories: Best Production, Best Director, Best Editor, Best Sound, Best Cinematography and Best Newcomer.

Winners will be announced at a special gala event, where the selected short films will be screened.

Letebele continues: “It will be an occasion for networking, appreciating talent and generally reflecting on our achievements as an industry. We will also take this opportunity to recognise the up-and-coming filmmakers from DStv’s Film Skills Development Programme.

“After the competition has been completed we will review how it has been received in the industry and will decide on a way forward as to whether to make it an annual event.”

It will be at the discretion of the filmmakers to negotiate separately with any DStv or M-Net channel to have their film broadcast on these platforms.

According to Lindiwe Ndebele-Koka, director of Multimedia at the Department of Arts and Culture, competitions such as these stimulate competitiveness of young filmmakers. “It is a good tool to identify the talent that exists in the industry.”

For more information on how to submit entries, filmmakers can visit www.multichoice.co.za

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