THE 33rd edition of the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) concluded at the weekend with the awards ceremony taking place on Saturday night followed by the screening of the first SA animated 3D film, The Adventures of Zambezia, at Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World.
Hosted by TV personality Jailoshini Naidoo, the winners were awarded for their dedication and artistic ability in cinema.
Scooping Best Feature Film, which also carries a cash prize of a whopping R50 000, was Love (Amour), directed by Michael Haneke. Meanwhile, the Best First Feature Film, with a cash prize of R20 000, was awarded to Australian Julia Leigh for Sleeping Beauty.
One of the highlights of the night was when the Best South African Feature Film was awarded to Adventures in Zambezia. Director Wayne Thornley also received a cash prize of R30 000.
He shared his thoughts on winning the prestigious award: “This is a milestone and marker of where the animation industry is now and really shows what the South African animation industry is capable of. I’m incredibly proud of the crew. A lot of hard work, determination and effort went into this and I would like to applaud them.”
Receiving the award for the Best Actress was Deanie Ip in A Simple Life (Tao Jie), while Joseph Wairimu walked away with the Best Actor award for Nairobi Half Life. Other accolades went to Gökhan Tiryaki (Best Cinema- tography for Once Upon a Time in Anatolia) and The African Cyphe, directed by Bryan Little (Best South African Documentary).
To see the full winners list, visit www.durbanfilmfest.co.za
Speaking at the awards ceremony, director of the DIFF, Peter Rorvick, said: “This is my final year as director of the festival so I would like to convey a huge thank you to the finders, the National Film and Video Foundation and a variety of embassies.
“The feedback has been amazing. People have really enjoyed the selection of films and the attendances have been very good, so thank you. Also, the move to the beachfront for the festival has also been very wise. We’ve really built DIFF to something special and are very proud of the way the festival has gone.
“I would also like to pay tribute to my colleagues who have put the festival together.”
The closing film of the awards was the first South African 3D animated movie, Adventures in Zambezia. It has been cited as: “a truly African story with world-class 3D animation and an all-star voicing cast that includes names such as Samuel L Jackson and Abigail Breslin. The film is quite the landmark for a South African animated film, and for that matter, it’s a landmark for the whole South Africa film industry.
“The film relates the inspiring tale of an intrepid young falcon, Kai, who seeks out a rumoured bird city called Zambezia, where he hopes to find personal prestige as a talented flyer.
“But his competitive individualist ways must give way to working together with his fellow feathered friends in order to save the whole community.
“The film moves away from the predictable narrative of many international animated children’s films, towards an entirely fresh, distinctively African structure”.
From watching the film, I can certainly say it lived up to its promise of amazing 3D animation features and a truly exceptional storyline.
All-in all, as the first South African 3D film, the movie displays brilliant features and impeccable quality. The storyline is engaging and captivating with the element of great humour, which is suitable for the entire family.
A phenomenal film in every sense of the word!