Carly Barnes

Mama Marikana initially began as Aliki Saragas’s Documentary Arts masters project at the University of Cape Town, but soon progressed into a developing feature film with the support of talented filmmakers. The project now has a crowd-funding campaign on Thundafund where members of the public can contribute to its completion.

The documentary explores the narrative of the women of Marikana: the widows, mothers, sisters and community members who were left to pick up the pieces after miners were gunned down by the South African Police Service at Lonmin mine in 2012. The documentary follows five Marikana women and a community who is attempting to move from a state of oppression to empowerment. The five featured women are: Primrose Nokulunga Sonti and Thumeka Magwangqana, leaders in Sikhala Sonke the Marikana Women’s group; Evelyn Seipati Mmeka a religious mother in the community; and Zameka Nungu, widow of the murdered Jackson “Ace’ Lehopa.

Sonti commented, “We are still crying because there is no solution. There is no change; we are still crying and we will cry.’

According to the campaign posted on Thundafund those working on the production commented, “For the team, this film not only represents an opportunity for us to give voice to the women of Marikana, but also gives us hope that we may have the opportunity to change their lives through our film. To say that Mama Marikana is a passion project is an understatement.’

The crew working on the film includes: director and producer Aliki Saragas; producer Tessa Scott; DOP Andreas Georghiou; sound recordist Ying-poi De Lacy and additional cameraman Jared Hoskyn Paisley.

Saragas can be contacted at aliki.saragas@gmail.com and Scott at tessa.k.scott@gmail.com.

Visit the Mama Marikana website for more information.

The Jameson First Shot film competition, in partnership with Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti of Trigger Street Productions, is seeking gifted and undiscovered filmmakers from around the world with compelling stories to tell to participate in its 2015 edition. The three talented winners will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have their scripts developed into short films, starring Adrien Brody in the lead role.

The winning shorts will be premiered in LA with the acclaimed team in attendance.

The Jameson First Shot competition offers filmmakers the opportunity to break into the industry. Knowing how difficult this can be, Kevin Spacey sees it as his duty to help young talent and says: “If you’ve been successful at the career you wanted to have, it’s your obligation to spend a good portion of your time sending the elevator back down.’

Dana Brunetti, a renowned producer who will be making the winners’ films with his experienced crew, concurs: “Any time you can open a path for people who actually have talent to demonstrate, it’s a wonderful thing. Hollywood doesn’t have a monopoly on talent’

Adrien Brody will play the lead in this year’s winning films. His own journey from unknown actor to Oscar-winner was far from easy, making him a natural match for the competition.

“Jameson First Shot affords talented writer/directors an important gift,’ says Brody, “the confidence to exercise fearlessness and the opportunity to materialise their dreams.’

Due to the overwhelming response to 2014’s competition; Jameson is expanding to give more unearthed talent the chance to enter their work. Entrants living in the UK, Ireland, India, Australia and Canada, in addition to SA, Russia and the US, are now eligible to enter.

The competition is open to entries from the 3 November and the rules, including length and theme, can be found at The Jameson First Shot film competition website.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is calling for submissions of applications for funding in the areas of training, marketing and distribution support, script development and production financing. The deadline date for applications in this quarter is 5 December 2014.

The following categories will be considered for production and development funding:
• Documentaries
• Features
• Short films
• Television concepts

The following categories will be considered for training applications:
• International bursaries
• Trevor Jones scholarship
• Training provider funding

The following marketing and distribution categories are applicable:
• Marketing and Distribution – which entails funding for print and advertising for independent DVD distribution.
• Film Festival – which provides financial support to individuals or organisations to host local film festivals.

All applications must be hand delivered or posted to the NFVF at 87 Central Street, Houghton, Johannesburg, 2198. No e-mail submissions will be accepted.

NB: View the funding criteria for all categories.

Download the applications form.

The NFVF will inform applicants of the outcome of the applications in March 2015.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications received after the deadline will only be considered for the following quarterly meeting of council.

For any queries regarding development and production email Neiloe Whitehead on neiloek@nfvf.co.za or Lesiba Maile on lesibam@nfvf.co.za.

For any queries regarding training or bursaries email Pretty Mthiyane on prettym@nfvf.co.za.

For any queries regarding marketing and distribution email Lerato Mokopanele on leratom@nfvf.co.za.