The Cannes South African Film Factory will provide an opportunity for four SA
directors and four international directors, to collectively direct four short films,
which will be produced in KwaZulu-Natal, and then screened on the opening day of
the Cannes Directors Fortnight / la Quinzaine, in the official Cannes programme
next year. DW (France) and Zidaka (South Africa), in partnership with the KwaZulu-
Natal Film Commission, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), and the
Cannes Quinzaine Directors Fortnight, are pleased to announce the selection of the
four South African directors. After a very positive response to the call, with more
than 30 high quality submissions, a short list of 12 directors were invited to attend
the final interviews, which took place in Durban on 15 July.
The four South Africa directors selected are:
Sheetal Magan
Samantha Nell
Zamo Mkhwanazi
Zee Ntuli
The workshop runs until 25th July, 2015, during the Durban International Film
Festival (DIFF).
The four short films that will be soon directed by South African and international
young filmmakers will enable the public of the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes to
discover the unsuspected realities of South Africa. Known for its dramatic story and
now, for its remarkable opportunities. “We look forward to discover films that will
be made and then screened in Cannes. Vive the SA Factory!” says Edouard
Waintrop, artistic director of the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight section.
“This is the fourth Factory and, after Asia, Europe and South America, this is the
first one in Africa. I’m amazed by the high quality of the directors and it was heart-
breaking to select only four ‘, says Dominique Welinski curator and producer.
Carol Coetzee CEO of the KZN Film Commission adds, “These results are very
exciting and mean we are definitely moving in the right direction towards a
transformed and sustainable film industry. To have young talents and particularly
women being exposed to such an opportunity is a milestone indeed.’
“We are happy to be associated with this project, which not only recognises our
local talent, but also creates opportunities for our filmmakers to be the best
directors, sharing their vision and talent with the rest of the world. As an enabler,
we constantly seek ways of developing the youth and ensuring the growth of our
general film industry; this process is aligned to this objective. Congratulations to all
selected directors,’ says NFVF CEO Zama Mkosi.
AFDA Durban has offered its facilities for production and post-production. Media
Film Services and Sound Surfers, Hollard Film Guarantors, the Durban International
Film Festival and Cote Ouest Audiovisual and Institut Francais (South Africa) are all
official partners.
