For the first time ever, South Africa has been invited to send representatives to attend the prestigious Giffoni Hollywood Festival, which has been dubbed the “Youth Oscars’. Local cinema chaing Ster-Kinekor will be sending two South African youngsters to take part in this glamorous cinematic festival in April, which celebrates the power and the voice of children.
Giffoni Hollywood brings to Los Angeles the spirit and enterprise of the original Italian-based festival while also creates a unique and innovative cinematic experience that could only be experienced in the heart of Hollywood. By following in the footsteps of the Giffoni International Film Festival, Europe’s largest film festival, Giffoni Hollywood has become the leading children’s film festival in America, dedicated to inspiring and uniting children and teens from around the world.
Youngsters serve as the Giffoni Hollywood jury and watch films made by or influenced by today’s youth including features, shorts and documentaries. It is their vote that determines the best. This culminates with a glittering award ceremony presented in the Kodak Theatre, home to the Oscars. The programming and events during the festival offer the children and teens an unprecedented insight into the art and business of filmmaking. Tours, seminars and demonstrations are provided to the participants and ensure an experience that is uniquely Hollywood. Through it all the jurors also connect with peers from different countries and learn about cultures beyond their own borders
A host of stars including Jon Voight, Meyl Streep, Paula Abdul and Brendan Fraser are associated with the festival. Will Smith (“The Pursuit of Happyness’) usually takes the youngsters bowling.
Giffoni Hollywood kicks off in Los Angeles on 23 April with a dinner in Disneyland and culminates on 28 April with the Giffoni Hollywood Awards Show at the Kodak Theatre.
South African youngsters can enter in either the 12-14 year old or 15-17 year old categories. They need to answer two questions in no more than 700 words each – “What film has had an impact on your life and why?’ and “If you had the opportunity to make a film about a South African story, what would your storyline be?’
The closing date for entries is 18 March. Children must have seen one movie at any Ster-Kinekor cinema between 28 February 2007 and the closing date to qualify for entry.
Entry and competition details can be downloaded from www.sterkinekor.com , or collected in cinema, with answers emailed to Hollywood@sterkinekor.com, faxed to 086 669 6950 or dropped off in Ster-Kienkor cinemas.
As well as attending Giffoni Hollywood, the two winners will also act as ambassadors for Ster-Kinekor’s Corporate Social Responsibility project Vision Mission, which provides free eye testing and glasses to underprivileged children under the age of eight to enable them to see the Glamour of Hollywood clearly.
The Giffoni Hollywood competition is sponsored by Ster-Kinekor – in conjunction with the Cape Film Commission and Moonlighting Productions.
For more information visit www.sterkinekor.com and www.giffonihollywood.com
