The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is once again participating at the
National Arts Festival in Grahamstown until Monday the 14th of July 2014. The
festival attracts a strong participation from artists countrywide, as well as
international artists.
The aim of the NFVF campaign is to educate and train participants in areas of
screen writing, producing and directing as well as introducing them to the film
industry by hosting a session in “how to enter the film industry’ and workshops.
A number of local films will also be screened during the festival to help foster
greater interest in the South African film industry.
For the duration of the festival the NFVF is creating awareness of the local
industry, and exposing the youth to cinema. To achieve this, the NFVF has
assembled a team of well-known film practitioners to share their expertise with
the audiences. The team includes Rapulana Seiphemo (Generations, White
Wedding, Paradise Stop), John Volmink (Blitz Patrollie producer),
Bonginhlanhla Ncube (director) and Loyiso Moqoma (former Isidingo and
Scandal Headwriter).
In keeping with 2014’s “20 years of freedom’ theme, the NFVF will screen films
that celebrate the past two decades in South African filmmaking. Among the
films being screened are Tsotsi, directed by Gavin Hood and recipient of
the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film; Mandela: Long Walk to
Freedom; Khalo Matabane’s State of Violence; Nothing for Mahala directed
by Rollie Nikiwe; Fanie Fourie’s Lobola, directed by Henk Pretorius; and
the award-winning animation film Khumba, directed by Anthony Silverton.
The initiative was born with the objectives of positioning local film in the minds of
the public and youth, connecting audiences to the widest range of SA Film,
promoting local film and talent to the communities, and growing the next
generation of filmmakers and audiences.
The National Arts Festival, held annually in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape
Province, is Africa’s largest and most colourful cultural event and offers a choice
of the very best of both indigenous and imported talent. Every year for 11 days
Grahamstown’s population almost doubles, as over 50 000 people flock to the
historic city for a feast of arts, crafts and sheer entertainment.
