Selected filmmakers who entered the 3rd Durban Short Film Challenge on 30 June stand a chance of winning the ultimate prize for the best film – a place in the National Film and Video Foundation’s scriptwriting programme plus a MacBook Pro sponsored by NFVF. Entrants have to write, shoot and edit a five-minute film based on any one of the Challenge’s three themes. Up to 12 films will be selected to screen at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) where a winner will be chosen by a panel of judges.
The themes for the Durban Short Film Challenge are:Calling to a higher power; Cosmic chance; and Between a rock and an unknown place.
Films participating in the Durban Short Film Challenge will be screened on 30 July in the Prince Alfred Conference Room, The Royal Hotel, Anton Lembede Street, 14h00 – 15h30 during DIFF. Entry is free but you will need to register with your ID document to enter the hotel. The competition is supported by the NFVF and the Durban Film Office.
The Durban Short Film Challenge aims to inspire creativity, resourcefulness and improvisational filmmaking, as well offer development opportunities for aspiring filmmakers, while inspiring established filmmakers.
Tharuna Devchand, winner of the 2010 Short Film Challenge had this to say about her experience of participating in the NFVF’s Sediba Spark Narrative Fiction Scriptwriting Programme: “The Sediba Spark programme opens your eyes to the real world of screenwriting. It’s hard and the mentors promise that it will have you crying blood. It’s fun, inspiring and you work with people who are in the field.”
The Sediba Spark Narrative Fiction Scriptwriting Programme is one of numerous training initiative offered by the NFVF whose mandate is to spearhead the development of South Africa’s film and video industry.
Since its first installment, the Durban Short Film Challenge has enjoyed the support of the Durban Film Office. CEO Toni Monty says: “The Durban Short Film Challenge has in past provided an important platform for aspirant filmmakers in the region to demonstrate their talents, and we are confident that this year’s programme will be equally exciting.”
The Durban Film Office is a division of the Department of Economic Development at the eThekwini Municipality responsible for the development and promotion of Film Industry in eThekwini.
For more information email durbanfilmsociety@gmail.com or visit the facebook page Durban Film Society.
