SOUTH AFRICAN films screened at the 66th Cannes International Film Festival this week proved hot, as two of three were snapped up by international distribution companies.
The National Film and Video Foundation said Blitz Patrollie was bought by a Berlin-based company.
It was the second South African film to be bought by international distribution companies at the festival this week.
Earlier, a well-known French distribution company bought the rights to the animation film Khumba as well as Adventures of Zambezia, which was not screened at the festival. Foundation spokeswoman Naomi Mokhele said the two were expected to be released in France by August.
The third film screened at the festival was Black South Easter.
Blitz Patrollie features two police officers in a number of hiccups and a case of bad luck while stationed at a depot in the Joburg CBD. Featuring comedians David Kau and Joey Rasdien, it premiered locally last Friday, making number five on the local box office.
The foundation’s Thandeka Zwana said the film’s brand of humour was attractive to global markets.
“We are very proud of this success. It means that our producers’ and filmmakers’ work is of high standard, catching the attention of the world,” she said.