The Aluta Film Festival kicks off from 25 to 28 May in Kimberly, South Africa. Some of the top films on the programme include Only When I Dance from Brazil and The Black Candle from the US, as well as films from all over the continent.
“We have documentaries, features and shorts from over 36 countries from the diaspora and the rest of the world,’ says festival director Motheo Seleke. “There will also be opening night and closing night ceremonies. We are sincerely committed to making the Aluta Film Festival South Africa’s premiere African cinema event for high-quality feature films.’
At this year’s festival a panel discussion with filmmakers will aim to highlight film industry opportunities. Conversations with celebrity guests have been introduced so that local filmmakers can talk to them about their experiences in the industry.
Aluta is the brainchild of Seleke, an independent filmmaker and entrepreneur who originally founded the festival in 2003, which was then known as Galeshewe African Film Festival.
Seleke explains that his reason for creating the festival was to address the lack of viewing platforms for African films. “The festival aims to raise awareness about the film industry within the broader Northern Cape area and to highlight the cross-culture and diverse nature of content that is explored by the broader film industry in Africa and the diaspora.
“It also showcases the high quality of production that the South African film industry creates and offers an opportunity for networking. Aluta creates bridges of understanding among the Northern Cape community to reshape the current social and political discourse.’
The festival is primarily self-funded. Says Seleke: “We generate income from the initiatives that we organise as the Aluta Film Projects. These are breakthrough film development initiatives aimed at forging necessary partnerships to develop a viable film industry in the central region of the Northern Cape, Free State and North West. Over the years we have had several stakeholders interested in the festival that have partnered with the Northern Cape Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and the Northern Cape Tourism Authority. Several other significant stakeholders have also expressed interest and we are finalising discussions in this regard.’
Seleke maintains that the festival has been successful as it has become a recognised event on the film calendar.
“We rank among the top five film festivals in South Africa. I am proud of how far we have come. Not only does the community benefit from the festival but filmmakers can showcase their work. The streets have come back to life with events such as the Aluta Open Air Cinema, Aluta Community Showcase, the Schools Cinema Cafe, filmmakers panels and other special events organised around the festival.’
