The Dawn of a New Day was announced as Best Documentary at the recent awards ceremony of the Transforming Stories International Christian Film Festival (TSICFF) 2011.
TSICFF, which is judged by a global jury, has a vision to transform cultures through storytelling. This year submissions were from 19 countries representing 5 continents of the world. TSICFF will be showing The Dawn of a New Day at independent cinemas across South Africa between December and March 2012.
The Dawn of a New Day follows a South African plastic surgeon who wants to give up his private practice to volunteer his skills on a medical ship providing life-changing medical services to the poorest of Africa’s people. However it comes at a great personal cost – risking the woman he has always loved. Meanwhile a mischievous and charming boy not only needs specialised surgery but a chance to see his mother for the first time in years.
The Dawn of a New Day was filmed in South Africa, Ireland and predominantly Benin where Mercy Ships’ Africa Mercy was docked to provide free surgeries to the poor.
The documentary was directed and produced by South African Ryley Grunenwald of Marie-Verite Films who decided to make the film after volunteering on the Africa Mercy. The film, supported by The National Film & Video Foundation and The Gauteng Film Commission has so far been officially selected for The Durban International Film Festival, TSICFF and Miradasdoc in Spain. In 2010 it was winner of Best Pitch at the Miradasdoc Market where the prize money assisted in the completion of the film.
Grunenwald, who said she was honoured to receive the award, is in development for her next documentary Sands of the Skei Queen which recently received a Canadian production grant from Fondation Alter-Cine.
The Dawn of a New Day DVD is available through worldwide through the international distributor at www.journeymanpictures.tv and in South Africa at www.takealot.com or Look & Listen stores.
