The annual National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) 2014 women’s day celebration event was held on 13 August. This year, the work of women filmmakers in South Africa was celebrated by the NFVF with a showcase of the films from the NFVF’s Female Filmmaker Project.
Bubu Mazibuko, the MC for the day encouraged women to support each other as “we play a very important role in building the nation through the stories we tell’.
During her keynote speech Mmabatho Ramagoshi, chairperson of the NFVF Council said the NFVF Female Filmmaker project was born three years ago following the previous NFVF council’s appointment. “We highlighted a greater need to address past imbalances. Together with executive management the Council identified key gaps in the industry that were hindering the growth of our sector. Women’s development was one of the key programmes identified.’
Ramagoshi further elaborated that “We created a slate with the objective of providing female filmmakers with opportunities to make a film in collaboration with other women. These women were taken into an intensive training progamme, with guidance in the development and production of their stories. Quizzical Productions and Born Free Media were selected as suitable production companies to assist in the production of the films.’
From this initiative 16 female filmmakers were taken through a development process to give added insight as writers, producers and directors. Out of this process, 10 short films were selected for production.
The 16 ladies and their films are:
• Lara Cunha and Phuthi Nakene for Dear Betty
• Lwazi Mvusi for The State
• Lindiwe Mkhonza, Nolitha Tshinavha and Beather Baker for The Manuscript
• Genevieve Akal for Bougainvillea
• Anneke Villet for Last Doorman Standing
• Zandizile Tisani for Heroes
• Jayan Moodley and Bonita Sithebe for The Dance
• Rafeeqah Galant and Nthabiseng Mokoena for Lungelwa
• Rene van Rooyen for The Forgotten Country
• Nomusa Nkabinde and Xolile Tshabalala for Through her Eyes
Screenings of the films are scheduled for 15 to 17 August at the Avalon Cine Centre, Killarney Mall from 17h00.
