Several South African projects will be presented at the Cannes Film Festival on 18 May at the conference themed “South Africa, your co-production partner of choice and content on offer”. Projects include 31 Million Reasons, Izulu Lami (My Secret Sky), In the Shadow of a Saint, Otello Burning, Skin, Khumba, and The Consequence
The conference will be held at the Eden Hotel and is hosted by South Africa’s National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) in conjunction with its partners at Cannes, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), and the Avalon Group. It will be attended by international buyers, industry colleagues and producers from other filmmaking countries.
This edition of the Cannes Film Festival, which runs from 13 to 24 May, marks the NFVF’s 10th year of participation at Cannes, as the official host of South Africa’s presence.
Commenting on the conference, NFVF CEO Eddie Mbalo says: "One of our objectives in hosting this event is to present some of South Africa’s best projects to the international market. With the launch of our new commercial department, New Ventures, one of our aims is to create new opportunities, in the process building a commercially viable business within the sector."
During the conference, the DTI will once again present the South African Film and Television Production Incentive Rebate to the delegates in attendance. The rebate is one of the instruments that government developed to benefit foreign film investors and co-production partners. The conference also aims to leave the delegates with an understanding of the country’s positioning strategy that states that South Africa is a filmmaking nation which provides an excellent environment for incoming productions, and a partner for co-production.
South Africa’s presence at Cannes is not only to showcase local product, but to also build and strengthen relations with local and global partners. In the spirit of strengthening relations, the NFVF and Avalon Group will on 17 May host the delegates to a cocktail event, in celebration of the latter’s 70th anniversary. This year’s celebration in Cannes also recognises South Africa’s 15 years of democracy. "Over the past decade, the Avalon Group has experienced unprecedented growth, featuring the latest in Hollywood and Bollywood content. The power of picture continues as we look beyond seventy years of dreams coming true," said AB Moosa Jnr, whose successes include founding Avalon Productions.
On the evening of May 16, the NFVF and partners will host a networking event, where industry professionals from other filming countries will meet their South African counterparts. The event, to be held at La Rado Plage has been hailed as the best event by those that have attended in the past. The guests will be served a menu featuring a variety of proudly South African dishes in celebration of the NFVF’s 10 year anniversary.
Throughout the duration of Cannes, the NFVF will host the South African Pavillion which is open to all South African industry professionals attending Cannes to use for various meetings and project screenings.
