Carly Barnes

The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE vice president and prime minister and ruler of Dubai, has seen a 60% increase in submissions for the 10th edition which takes place from 6 to 14 December 2013.

More than 3,500 entries from 143 countries have been received, with a 35% contribution from Arab countries.

A considerable increase in entries is apparent across all regions, but encouraging growth has been noted from surrounding countries and the US. Submissions from South Asian countries increased dramatically while Canada, Denmark, Spain, Belgium and Qatar have doubled their submissions from last year.

This year sees first-time entries from Belarus, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Laos and Puerto Rico.

Masoud Amralla Al Ali, artistic director of the DIFF, says: “Several regional and international films presented at DIFF last year and films from this year’s festival are currently being considered for the Oscars from their respective countries.’

Examples of potential contenders are Egypt’s Winter of Discontent by Ibrahim El Batout, Saudi Arabia’s Wadjda by Haifaa Al Mansour, Lebanon’s Blind Intersections by Lara Saba, Iran’s The Past by Asghar Farhad and Italy’s The Great Beauty by Paolo Sorrentino.

“With such a diverse selection of submissions to choose from we are in a position to bring the very best of cinema to DIFF audiences this December,’ adds Amralla Al Ali.

Visit http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/en/industry for more information.

Felix, the award-winning, feel-good South African family film, has triumphed again on the international film festival circuit.

The movie won the €5 000 Michel Award for Best Film at The Filmfest Hamburg Michel Children and Youth Film Festival in Germany. 


“We chose Felix because it is a film that addresses a variety of topics such as racism and family conflicts,’ said the citation from the seven-person jury, made up of boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 14.

“It also shows how important it is to pursue your dreams. We especially liked the wonderful South African jazz music that is interwoven throughout the film. Felix also deals with serious subjects in a humorous and understandable way.’



This is the third international film festival award for Felix, which won Best Film at the Lucas International Children’s Film Festival in Germany and the Audience Award at Durban International Film Festival in South Africa earlier this year.

Both screenings of Felix has sold out at BFI London Film Festival, which runs until 20 October.

The movie just had an additional screening added at The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), where Ian Bailey wrote in Canada’s The Globe and Mail that, “You need to check if your heart is made of granite if you’re not moved by the exultant final scene’.

VIFF program manager PoChu AuYeung says: “The audience response has been very positive and Felix has been favourably reviewed by our papers. With Felix being one of the popular films of the festival, we are adding a screening next Monday as part of our annual VIFF repeats of audience favourites.’

Felix is directed by South African Film and Television Award Lifetime Achievement winner Roberta Durrant, and is a Penguin Films production for Sabido Productions. The movie is distributed by Crystal Brook Distribution.

The DVD will be available in South African rental stores from 6 January 2014 and retail stores from 20 January 2014.

For more information, visit www.felixthemovie.com or watch the trailer at http://www.screenafrica.com/page/industry-interviews/1634785-Felix-official-movie-trailer#.UlZ7uBDh33A.

Satirical South African talk show, Late Night News with Loyiso Gola, has been nominated in the comedy category of the 41st International Emmy Awards which takes place on 25 November in New York.

The series, presented by comedian Loyiso Gola, is broadcast on eNews Channel Africa (eNCA) and features humorous commentary, sketch inserts and guests interviews on current affairs.

Patrick Conroy, eNCA News group head, believes the TV show has become part of South Africa’s national conversation, allowing viewers the opportunity to experience political and social issues in a humorous light. “I see Late Night News as an extension of our news service at eNCA and value the hard work and dedication from Loyiso Gola, Kagiso Lediga, Tamsin Andersson and the rest of the team,’ he says.

Show producer Andersson expressed her gratitude the recognition and support: “The team has worked tirelessly and passionately on the show from the beginning and it is humbling and very exciting that the Emmys have given us a nod.’

Watch Late Night News with Loyiso Gola on Wednesdays at 21h30 on eNCA (DSTV Channel 403) and Thursdays at 20h00 on e.tv.

The East African Colours of the Nile International Film Festival (CNIFF) takes place from 5 to 9 February 2014 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abraham Haile Biru, president of CNIFF and an award-winning African cinematographer says: “The inaugural edition of CNIFF that took place in November 2012 was very successful. The overwhelmingly positive response of the African film community and audiences encouraged us to host the festival annually instead of biennially as originally planned.”

June Givanni, a film curator who has worked with the British Film Institute, the Toronto International Film Festival and Focus Feature’s Africa First, is the new festival director, while the CNIFF’s competition section will be judged by an international jury comprising African filmmakers and leading industry professionals.

According to Haile Biru the theme of the 2014 festival is Africa’s Renaissance. “We want to get the message across that cinema is a powerful medium for educating, inspiring, promoting peace, and freedom of expression; all vital for the renaissance of our continent.’

The topic reinforces the theme of the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity / African Union (AU) and affirms the AU’s charter for African Cultural Renaissance.

CNIFF will spotlight South African films in its Africa Special Section as well as movies from other continents in the World Cinema Corner.

Haile Biru comments that South Africa offers a good example in setting favourable policy and framework conditions for the promotion of cinema. “More and more films are coming from South Africa, reaching wider African and international audiences. This is definitely an experience other African countries can take lessons from to revamp their film industries.’

The festival is offering a number of workshops addressing various filmmaking topics in recognition of the importance of training for the development of African cinema.

“I’m honoured to have the chance to head a festival that is truly devoted to the promotion of Africa cinema. We are working very hard to offer excellent selections of films for our audiences and the opportunity of exchange and networking for African filmmakers,’ concludes Haile Biru.

Feature-length and short fiction films as well as feature-length and short documentaries from across Africa are eligible for submission.

Entries will be accepted until 15 November 2013.

Visit www.coloursofthenile.net for more information, including rules, requirements and the official submission form.

The Shnit International Short Film Festival, which ended on 6 October, showcased the diversity and rising filmmaking talent in South Africa.

According to the organisers, “the judges were impressed by the strong acting, great cinematography and high production values with a range of interesting and unique stories’.

Honourable Mentions went to South African productions Kanye Kanye, Port Nolloth, Stone Cars and Like Clockwork.

The Flaming Faun Award (Made in SA Award) was given to Armed Response in which “a well-balanced cast carried the nuanced comedic timing and subtle yet hilarious script, often pushing the envelope in a way that only South Africans can’.

Tlhonepho Thobejane, Gambit Films and Marco van der Merwe took part in the Shnit Realtime category, with Gambit taking the prize.

Real Time was funded by Zootee Studios, Sound Surgeon Studios, Priest Post Production, The Monk, 744 Digital, Propfather and Flexfit. Prizes were awarded by Lensbaby Exposure Gallery.

The Best of Shnit screenings, including the international winners, who will be announced in New York on 13 October, and the top South African films will screen at the Labia Theatre in Cape Town in November 2013.

Shnit was made possible through the support of the Cape Film Commission, the National Film and Video Foundation as well as the National Lottery Distribution Fund in partnership with the upcoming Cape Town International Film Festival.

The Forgotten Kingdom by South African producers ZenHQ Films and Binary Film Works has won two international awards in the past week.

The first feature film produced in and about Lesotho received the Golden Punt Audience Award for Best Film at the 33rd Cambridge Film Festival in the UK, competing against 55 other films making their UK premiere.

On Sunday 6 October the movie scooped the awards for Best Film, Best Cinematography and Best Editor at the Woodstock Film Festival in New York.

Additionally, the production has been selected for 31 film festivals in the US, Canada, Europe and Africa.

Written and directed by Andrew Mudge, the movie opens in the gritty streets of Johannesburg before moving to the stunning scenery of Lesotho, and tells the story of a young man’s pilgrimage home to re-discover his roots.

The Forgotten Kingdom stars among others Jerry Mofokeng, Lillian Dube, Zenzo Ngqobe, Nozipho Nkelemba and Lebohang Ntsane.

The film releases in South Africa in April 2014 through Indigenous Films.