140 films to feature in DIFF competition
"These are the kinds of stories that DIFF sought out this year, stories of hope, stories that show the light at the end of the tunnel, even if for now, it seems like just a flicker," said Chipo Zhou, head of programming.
THE University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) will host its 42 edition of the Durban International Festival (DIFF) from 22 July to 1 August through Durban FilmMart (DFM).
The festival presents a programme of close to 140 feature films, documentaries and short films alongside an exciting industry programme: Isiphethu.
On July 22, DIFF 2021 opens with a virtual screening of the action-thriller, The Eagle’s Nest, by Cameroon-born British director Olivier Assoua. The other films will be available to watch for free online from July 23.
Documentary ‘Threshold’, by the Brasilian Coraci Ruiz, is the closing film and will be screened on August 1 just after the annual DIFF Award Ceremony.
The DIFF jury consists of an international team of industry specialists including South African producer Cait Pansegrouw, filmmaker Sam Soko from Kenya and Dutch producer Raymond Van Der Kaaij.
ALSO READ: Enter short film competition
“The DIFF deliberately cultivates indigenous talent development and grants access to audiences and aspirant filmmakers particularly women, children, LGBTQI+ communities in highly conservative regions of the world.
“Ultimately, all the narratives in competition speak to this vision and are an illustration of the challenges of overcoming adversity and adapting to an altered world — one where, sadly, not everyone has fared so well.
“These are the kinds of stories that DIFF sought out this year, stories of hope, stories that show the light at the end of the tunnel, even if for now, it seems like just a flicker,” said Chipo Zhou, head of programming.
The full programme of shorts, consisting of a selection of 52 powerful short films that were thoughtfully curated for DIFF2021, are in competition.
