In celebration of 100 years of film in KZN, the KZN Film Commission (KZNFC) announced its community outreach programme that will take place in townships around Durban, from 21 to 25 June 2016, during the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF).
The KZNFC is mandated to promote film in the province and to increase the participation of the previously disadvantaged. The initiative is geared towards audience development, that is taking cinema to communities that do not have cinemas.
The year 2016 is an important year for the province’s film industry as it marks 100 years of film in the province. The KZNFC believes that it is important therefore that the people of the province not only celebrate the art but also support local content and the producers who made the South African film industry the globally competitive industry it is today.
The film screenings in the community will therefore be a celebration of South African cinema and an acknowledgement of the good work that is being done by South African filmmakers in telling the South African story.
From 16 to 26 June 2016, Durban will host DIFF. It is important for the KZNFC that the people of the province not only participate in this festival but that cinema audiences are developed and enhanced. “We are committed to ensuring an increase in the support of local content as that will have a positive impact on our economy and enhance the sustainability of the industry. The increase of audience participation will also be an inspiration to our filmmakers to produce content that is celebrated and appreciated by their local communities and national audiences,’ said Carol Coetzee, KZNFC CEO.
The screenings will be open to all on a first come, first serve basis. The screening venues are Lamontville Community Hall, Chesterville Community Hall, Bat Centre, Fashion Council, Claremont Community Hall, KwaMashu, and Umlazi V Section Hall.
The Films to be screened are: Sarafina, Otelo Burning, Ayanda, Jerusalema, Yesterday, Man on Ground, Hear Me Move and Tsotsi.
The screenings are in honour of the late Simon ‘Mabhunu’ Sabela, a son of the province, who was a legend in film and television and who the KZNFC will continue to commemorate.
For more information visit the KZNFC website.
