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Carly Barnes

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Comedy Central to host Gareth Cliff talk show

Carly Barnes
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From 1 May, Comedy Central Africa will air The Gareth Cliff Show live every weekday from 07h35 to 08h50. The former 5FM radio DJ will be joined by Leigh-Ann Mol, Mabale Moloi, Damon Kalvari, and Siya Sangweni-Fynn, who worked with Cliff on 5FM’s morning show, to discuss top news stories, interviews and viewer call-ins.

MultiChoice Content Head, Aletta Alberts commented, “We have always supported new ideas and this exciting and fresh addition to the Comedy Central line-up will make the channel even stronger, reinforced by this local flavour.’

Evert van der Veer, Head of Comedy Central Africa said the channel was thrilled to be partnering with a host of Gareth Cliff’s calibre, polish and experience.

Cliff, who has been campaigning for CliffCentral, his up and coming uncensored online radio show, which will feature on online streaming service WeChat, concluded, “The partnership with Comedy Central not only gives our audience a traditional platform to join us as they’re getting ready to start the day, but is an opportunity to uncover fresh local content in a way that has never been done before in South Africa – reality radio!’

D&AD and YouTube launch global short film competition

Carly Barnes
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D&AD, a non-profit international association for creative advertising and design, in partnership with with YouTube will launch a competition for the non-commercial creative work of emerging filmmakers, on 30 April.

Aimed at bridging the gap between seasoned professionals and filmmakers who are just entering the industry, the Next Director Award is open to directors who have less than two years’ experience in the film or advertising industry. Entries must be no longer than five minutes and can be in the form of a short film, music video, commercial or branded content.

YouTube intends to uncover and support new directorial talent by providing a global platform of exposure for their work.

Alison Lomax, Head of Creative Agency Partnerships at YouTube commented, “YouTube is a platform where creators of any size can build an audience and where people can find content they love – from to music, to sport to film.’

Together with D&AD, YouTube will provide the winner with invaluable expert mentorship, which includes one-on-one sessions with prominent filmmakers and producers as well as full agency representation. Winners will also receive D&AD’s newly designed trophy, known as a D&AD Pencil, and will get funding to work on a commissioned brief from leading content creation community, MOFILM; andwill receive tickets and flights to attend the ceremony, which takes place in May 2015.

A jury of the industry’s finest talent, headed by D&AD Trustee Laura Gregory, will judge submissions. Gregory commented, “Nothing excites me more than the discovery of new talent, who challenge the way the established think and perform. D&AD was founded upon a celebration of craft; with content being king, it’s vital to the longevity of our industry that we help bring through the next Ridley Scotts and Jonathan Glazers.’

Separate to the D&AD Professional Awards, the Next Director Award will produce nominations three times each year, with a winner being announced at the D&AD Professional Awards Ceremony in May. The roll-out will happen as follows:

First entry deadline: 25 June
First nominations announced: 8 July
Second entry deadline: 31 October
Second nominations announced: mid-November
Third entry deadline: 28 February
Third nominations announced: mid-April

Visit the MOFILM website or the D&AD website for more information.

SA short selected for the Cannes Court Metrage

Carly Barnes
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South African short film, A Shot at the Big Time, has been selected to feature at the Cannes Film Festival in France, which takes place from 14 to 25 May 2014.
Written and produced by Durban filmmaker Janet van Eeden, the film will compete with eight other entries in the short film section, the Cannes Court Metrage, for the Short Film Palme d’or which will be awarded to the winning film on 24 May.

Van Eeden, whose story is based on the mysterious death of her brother Jimmy in 1979, launched an Indiegogo crowd funding campaign for the film to be shot as a feature. Though unable to get funding for the film without giving away the rights, she approached a young director from Australia, Stephen de Villiers and a producer from London, Magda M. Olchawska, who were interested in producing the film as a short.

“This honour is something my co-producer, Magda, and I have dreamed of since we joined forces to make A Shot at the Big Time, the short. We met online when I ran the Indiegogo.com crowdfunding campaign in 2011. I’d given up on the dream recently and am working hard at present raising funds to make the feature film by the end of the year, so when Magda let me know that we’d been accepted I was over the moon,’ says Van Eeden.

The digital platform also connected Van Eeden with lead actors Brad Backhouse and Sean C. Michael, who auditioned online.

After shooting the short in in July 2012, A Shot at the Big Time was selected for the Durban FilmMart in the same year. In 2013 it featured at the Durban International Film Festival and was awarded an eThekwini Film Award.

“I’d never been able to forget Jimmy’s tragic life, and after being challenged by film and theatre critic, Robert Greig, to write about my own life instead of writing plays about literary greats, I finally had the courage to put pen to paper and tackle one of the saddest experiences of my life,’ she concluded.

Watch the behind-the-scenes video of A Shot at the Big Time.

Kenya’s digital broadcasters cease transmission of free-to-air channels

Carly Barnes
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In April the Supreme Court of Kenya ruled that the country was not yet ready for digital migration, in favour of local media outlets: Nation Media, Standard Media and Royal Media.

The court also stated that pay-TV operators, the StarTimes Group, MultiChoice’s GOtv and the Pan-African Network must stop broadcasting local free-to-air (FTA) network signals, claiming the broadcasters did not have permission to do so.

The Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) has expressed concerns over how this will affect consumers who pre-pay for these services with an understanding that these channels form part of their viewing bouquet.

COFEK said in a statement: “The disruption in the continued reception of these key channels occasions heavy inconvenience to consumers who are not party to the dispute between the two broadcast signal retailers GOtv and StarTimes on one hand and the three media houses on the other.’

Backed by Section Four of the Consumer Protection Act 2012, the federation has said they may pursue a class action suit against GOtv, StarTimes and the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) and stated: “Ideally, the CAK should have now summoned both the retailers and media houses to a dialogue meeting to hasten their negotiations. Even then, consumers must be compensated for the period the FTAs have been off-air.’

Live wildlife web streams celebrate Earth Day 2014

Carly Barnes
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Axis Communications, an IP-based network video solutions provider, celebrated Earth Day 2014 by streaming live videos from the company’s network cameras, which are installed in a number of animal environments.

The aim of the initiative was to feature non-profit organisations which are creating awareness for wildlife and conservation projects.

The high-quality streams, which often run 24 hours a day, contribute to scientific research, aid in education and encourage continued donations by allowing viewers to connect directly with nature.

View the below streams:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

American Eagle Foundation

Wildlife Center of Virginia

Save the Manatee Club

Durban FilmMart calls for early-bird delegate registration

Carly Barnes
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From 18 to 21 July, the fifth edition of the Durban FilmMart will run at the Tsogo Sun Elangeni Hotel on the Durban beachfront in conjunction with the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), which takes place from 17 to 27 July.

Delegate registration is open to filmmakers as well as any members of the public who wish to attend. A once-off registration fee of R1,350 is available for early-bird registrations, which will close on 27 June 2014. This will grant attendees access to all master classes, Africa in Focus workshops and networking functions.

The event is a co-production finance forum and will provide African filmmakers with an opportunity to network with industry players as well as take part in informative workshops, interactive sessions and master classes.

Co-founded by the Durban Film Office and DIFF, this year the Durban FilmMart will partner with Produire au Sud, a workshop with a focus on the development of film co-productions and stories which featured at the Festival des 3 Continents in France.

The 2014 edition of the Mart will be have an emphasis on storytelling and will include the expertise of author and scriptwriter Miguel Machalski and acclaimed documentary filmmaker Stefano Tealdi.

Machalski, who worked on the script for Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby, will present a scriptwriting master class and will participate in panel discussions. Tealdi, who develops, produces and directs documentaries through his production company Stefilm International, will be presenting discussions on the skill of pitching covering topics such as “Choose the Right Moment’, Make Them Curious’, “Design Your Pitch with Care’ and “Pitching is Collaborating’.

Visit the Durban FilmMart website for more information.

Independent Mzansi Short Film Festival final call for entries

Carly Barnes
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The Independent Mzansi Short Film Festival (IMSFF), which takes place from 25 -29 June at the Maxi Cineplex at the Hatfield Plaza in Pretoria, is calling for South African short film entries. The submission deadline is 16 May and any late submissions will not be accepted after 6 June.

Not only does showcasing the film at a festival provide filmmakers with an opportunity to promote their talent and gain valuable industry exposure, the entry which garners the most awards will be awarded a R50, 000 cash prize.

Competition categories include: Best Short Film, Best Director of a Short Film, Best Original Screenplay of a Short Film, Best Actor in a Short Film, Best Actress in a Short Film, Best Supporting Actor in a Short Film, Best Supporting Actress in a Short Film, Best Original Score in a Short Film, Best Cinematography in a Short Film, Best Editing in a Short Film, Best Sound Editing and Mixing in a Short Film, Best Visual Effects in a Short Film, Best Production Design in a Short Film, Best Makeup and Hairstyling in a Short Film and Best Costume Design in a Short Film.

Nominations, which will be selected by a respected jury, will be announced two weeks prior to the festival on the IMSFF website, while the awards ceremony will take place on 29 June.

Visit the IMSFF website for more information.

Free Wi-Fi roll-out in Africa

Carly Barnes
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Free Wi-Fi access is spreading to a number of different countries in Africa as company and city initiatives seek to provide people, especially those in low income areas, with the internet.

South Africa

Project Isizwe is a non-profit project which enables the implementation of free Wi-Fi in public spaces in poor communities. Alan Knott-Craig Jnr, CEO and founder of Project Isizwe believes the project will aid in boosting the economy and providing employment.

“The focus is to cover open public spaces around educational institutions within low income communities, as well as congested metropolitan areas. Our Pilot Projects currently are in Stellenbosch and Tshwane (Pretoria),’ he commented.

Delft, a suburb in Cape Town will be the first of four areas to benefit from a free Wi-Fi pilot project undertaken by the Western Cape government. According to Alan Winde, MEC of Western Cape finance, economic development and tourism 90,000 people will have access to the internet in these spaces.

Kenya

Through a partnership between the State House Digital Team and the Nakuru county government, Nakuru County in Kenya provides its citizens with free Wi-Fi. Dennis Itumbi, State House director of digital media and diaspora communication said, “The business community can use the internet to conduct international trade while university and college students can get free study materials.’

Rwanda

Designated areas in the city of Kigali in Rwanda allow residents to access free Wi-Fi through an initiative called Smart Kigali which was set up by the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA), the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Rwanda Hotel and Restaurant Association, and the City of Kigali and internet service providers (ISPs). Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Minister of Youth and Information and communications technology said, “Smart Kigali will significantly contribute towards delivering better services. We want internet broadband to be accessible for everyone to be able to access information anytime.’

Nigeria

BASL, iWayafrica and MultiChoice Nigeria have created an initiative which affords passengers at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammad Airport Two (MMA2) access to free Wi-Fi. BASL spokesman Steve Omolale-Ajulo commented, “We are the only airport terminal in Africa to offer free Wi-Fi to passengers. We are the only airport in Nigeria with live arrivals and departures on the net and this is just the beginning. When it comes to working, investing and maintaining in the interest of the Nigerian public, we will make sure we remain far ahead.’

Visafone Communications, a Nigerian mobile services provider, has created a free Wi-Fi service for its existing customers. Sailesh Iyer, Managing Director of Visafone Communications explained, “Visafone customers can walk into any of the 18 designated Visafone shops in Nigeria between 08h00 to 18h00; Mondays- Fridays with their laptops, iPads, iPhones, tablets and other Wi-Fi enabled devices to enjoy a superb browsing experience.’

Oxygen Broadband Networks and the Chicken Republic restaurant chain partnered to provide customers in Lagos with free high-speed internet access at a number of branches. Wande Adalemo, Chief Executive and Co-founder of Oxygen Broadband said this would give customers freedom to work or play on the go.

US OB companies purchase new high-speed cameras

Carly Barnes
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US based outside broadcast (OB) companies, Lyon Video and Mobile TV Group (MTVG), are the first to purchase four new high-speed Grass Valley cameras.

The LDX XS (XtremeSpeed) and LDX Compact XS allow for instant time-to-air capabilities and are able to integrate with either 3X or 6X live workflows speeds.
Ultra slow-motion video is immediately available to users who do not need to transfer clips from an internal storage device as acquired footage is sent in real time to an external server. Both cameras are also equipped with AnyLightXtreme, which corrects visually disturbing artificial light flicker.

Grass Valley’s K2 Dyno Replay System and K2 Summit 3G Production Client allow for easy playback at any speed between zero and 200 percent and work in conjunction with the LDX cameras.

Lyon Video acquired two LDX XS cameras; the first will be installed in its expanding 16m HD truck along with the K2 Dyno Replay System, while the other will be used in several of its other vehicles.

After testing the cameras at an NHL Hockey game for Fox Sports, Bob Lyon, President of Lyon Video said, “Even under the indoor lighting conditions of the hockey rink, the LDX XS was powerful enough to capture 6X speed imagery with top-notch results. Another great feature with the LDX XS is that you don’t have to wait for it to transfer clips from an internal in-camera storage device, which is a huge time saver.’

MTVG will equip seven OBs for Fox Sports regional networks and one for Root Sports Rocky Mountain with the 16 LDX XS cameras and eight K2 Dyno Replay Systems it purchased from Grass Valley.

Philip Garvin, General Manager at MTVG said, “This is an outstanding development in super slow-motion and ultra slow-motion production, and we expect it to be a real game changer in the industry. The 6X images from the LDX XS captured such fine detail, and the speed of the K2 Dyno, which includes AnySpeed dynamic playback, was truly unmatched.’

Visit the Grass Valley website for more information.

Special events at the Bioscope Independent Cinema

Carly Barnes
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As part of a special outdoor cinema series in partnership with Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, the Bioscope Independent Cinema presents a number of films which will screen on rooftops and venues at the Maboneng Precinct in downtown Johannesburg.

On 30 April at 20h00 an outdoor screening of the award winning South African thriller iNumber Number will take place on Kruger Street (Between Main Street and Fox Street). Tickets cost R110 and include a complimentary Jameson arrival drink. Audiences are invited to bring blankets, sit on beanbags and watch movies surrounded by open air Joburg city.

iNumber Number features the story of two cops who, after being snubbed for a promotion by their corrupt supervisors, become involved in a criminal heist.

On 1 May, Miners Shot Down, a poignant documentary about the Marikana miners who were brutally killed in August 2012 during a strike for better wages, screens at 19h30. Renowned documentary filmmaker Rehad Desai uses real life footage to follow the strike from day one, while interviews with lawyers and political leaders reveal links to corruption within the ANC government and their allies in the National Union of Mineworkers.

Tickets to the screening cost R70 and proceeds go towards The Marikana Support Campaign.

Drawing on the idea of the German concept kiezkino or neighbourhood cinema, the Bioscope in partnership with the Goethe Institute Johannesburg will be screening the German film, Dicke Madchen (Heavy Girls), on 29 April at 19h30.

When an elderly woman with dementia leaves her caretakers and ventures into the city, the two men go out looking for her and discover a fondness they have for each other.

Tickets to the kiezkino event cost R15.

Visit the Bioscope Independent Cinema website for more information.

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