South Africa’s National Film & Video Foundation (NFVF) in association with the Department of Arts & Culture (DAC) will lead a South African delegation to the 65th Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France from 16 to 27 May. This year’s delegation is the biggest in recent years, with 130 filmmakers already confirmed as registered with the festival. Out of these, 11 have been sponsored by the NFVF.
“The growing size of South Africa’s participation at international events such as Cannes demonstrates that our filmmakers are global competitors in the field and that their projects are authentic stories that resonate in the international market place. It is therefore imperative to ensure that the local film industry is adequately supported and well represented in order for our productions and talent to receive the global recognition our productions deserve.
“We are especially excited this year to be accompanied by the DAC Ministry, who will be signing South Africa’s 8th co-production treaty, this time with Ireland,’ says Zama Mkosi NFVF CEO.
Azania Muendane, Head of Marketing & Public Affairs adds: “Cannes is recognised as the world’s premiere film festival where the world’s distributors, financiers, festival programmers buy film projects, negotiate distribution deals and funding. It is a key strategic platform for the NFVF to meet its objectives of promoting the country as a co-production partner, a filmmaking destination of choice, and a country that tells authentic stories.’
The co-production treaty with Ireland, which will be signed on Sunday, 20 May, will enable productions from both territories to qualify for the different incentives associated with home-grown content and enable collaborations between producers. The first South African co-production treaty was signed with Canada in 1997, followed by Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, France, Austrialia and New Zealand. Out of these treaties films such as Skin (SA/UK), The Bang Bang Club (SA/Canada), Death Race (SA/Germany), Skoonheid (SA/France) and A Million Colours (SA/Canada) were produced.
The NFVF will once again host the Showcase of South African films presenting 20 projects which comprise 12 feature films and eight documentaries. These include; Otelo Burning, Semi-Soet, Blitz Patrollie, 31 Million Reasons, Five Finger for Marseillas , One Last Look , The Umbrella Man, Tok Tokkie, RollaBall, Sobukwe, Wandering Fever and I am Craig.
Other events that will be hosted by the NFVF include a co-production forum where all the co-production treaty partners will be invited. The purpose of this event is to strengthen relations with the partners and also establishing ways of ensuring that each year the countries come up with a co-production.
The South African pavilion will be situated at the Village International #119. The pavilion provides a business environment for all South African delegates to host meetings. It also provides screening facilities for filmmakers who wish to showcase their film trailers during their meetings.
For more information visit the NFVF website, www.nfvf.co.za
