SA, Africa in spotlight at film fest

Published Dec 4, 2014

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THE annual KwaZulu-Natal African Film Festival (Kaff) starts on Friday with a busy programme including a number of workshops that are scheduled to be held by some of the country’s best practitioners in the worlds of film and television.

Kaff was launched in 2003 by KwaMashu Community Advancement Projects (K-Cap), through the Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre in the township (which is also the festival’s headquarters).

They describe the fest as a community-based film festival which specifically focuses on screening South African and African films and documentaries, and unique world films.

From Friday to December 14 the festival will host many screenings and development workshops facilitated by professional filmmakers and producers.

We caught up with Edmund Mhlongo, who heads up the festival, to find out more.

He said the programme of screenings includes Of Good Report by writer/director Jahmil XT Qubeka which was initially banned from opening last year’s Durban International Film Festival. They will also screen Khumba, a 3D South African computer-animated adventure comedy directed and produced by Anthony Silverston. This also marks the film’s first community screening.

A total of 18 films and documentaries are will be screened. These also include Shield and Spear, iNumber Number, Joe Bullet, Hard To Get, Plot for Peace, and more.

On the workshop front, Mhlongo said their film development programme includes classes for acting, directing, writing and editing.

“These will be led by film practitioners such as Rapulana Seiphemo, Kenneth Nkosi, Thembi Mtshali-Jones, New York- based Eric Lau (who has worked with Jackie Chan and runs a film school in US) and others.

“Some of the other highlights for this year include Andile Mxakaza from Isibaya who will be facilitating workshops at the festival for the first time. Sibongeleni Mabuya-khulu will also be shooting Woze Durban, a drama series, with KZN actors and K-Cap students and some people who will be attending the workshops. The National Film and Video Foundation will also be doing workshops with film-makers, teaching them how to apply for funding.”

 

• Screenings will take place at Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre (B25 Giya Road ,KwaMashu) at noon, 3pm and 6pm. Satellite screenings take place at Ndwedwe (Johnny Makhathini Hall) and Hibiscus Municipality (Margate Hall) All worshops start at 9.30am. For the full programme, more information or to book, call 031 504 6970 or e-mail kcapevents.info@ gmail.com. Info is also provided on the KwaZulu-Natal African Film Festival Facebook page.

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