AFTER nine jam-packed days, the 43rd edition of the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) drew to a close on the weekend. The much-anticipated award ceremony was held on Monday, August 1 via a live stream on Facebook and YouTube at 19:00.
Produced by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts, the festival is held in partnership with the KZN Film Commission, the National Film and Video Foundation, the KZN Department of Arts and Culture and Avalon Group. While the festival was held in cinemas this year, virtual screenings introduced during the Covid-19 outbreak were continued – allowing audiences the opportunity to stay in and stream films.
“It was inspiring to be back in cinema but also to see our online audiences tuning in. It shows us that there is still huge enthusiasm from our South African audiences for the festival – both audiences who have been attending for years and new audiences. It encourages us to continue to develop and look forward to DIFF2023,” said the director of the Centre for Creative Arts, Ismail Mahomed.
Feature films
The Best South African Feature Film award went to the time-piece 1960, directed by Michael Mutombo and King Shaft. The jury described the film as a ‘powerful historical re-imagination that lays bare some of the chasms of trauma in our history and the effect that this has generationally’.
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By a unanimous vote, Kenyan director Robin Odongo won Best African Feature Film for his film, Bangarang.
Best Feature Film went to director Ivan Herrera from the Dominican Republic for his film Bantù Mama. The international jury described the film as ‘incredibly moving’. The jury also rewarded the film with awards for Best Cinematography and the lead actress Clarisse Albrecht, who is also the writer and producer of the film, for Best Performer.
Agam Darshi from Canada won Best Director for her film Donkeyhead, in which she plays the lead role.
The festival’s management highlighted two feature films that were not part of the competition selection: Valley of a Thousand Hills and the closing film, You’re My Favourite Place.
“The films touch on important issues relevant to our society today, and DIFF would like to acknowledge the filmmakers for translating them into beautifully directed films. South Africa can be proud to produce films like these,” said Mahomed.
Documentary films
Best Documentary was awarded to the directors Laura Faerman and Marina Weis for the Brazilian documentary, Wind Blows the Border. The Best South African Documentary accolade went to Girl, Taken, directed by Francois Verster and Simon Wood.
“It could have been sensationalist, but it wasn’t. It had all these twists and turns that, in the end, it was like a real human story about family. Many complexities and different layers were brought out, making it interesting,” said the jury about Girl, Taken.
The documentary No U-Turn by Ike Nnabue from Nigeria took this year’s Artistic Bravery award.
Student films
This year’s festival saw the inaugural edition of the Isiphethu Student Film Festival. The Best South African Student Film went to Where is Mr Adams?, directed by AFDA alumnus Cameron Murray.
“Comedy is a very risky genre for a student film. At the same time, the film deals with deep and serious themes around self-worth, working together and how things can fall apart when one thing is not in place, which is perfectly combined,” said the jury.
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The Best International Student Film went to Mona & Parviz, directed by Kevin Bielle from Germany, which the jury called ‘the perfect short film’.
Short films
There were 72 short films included in the festival. The Best South African Short Film was awarded to Prayers for Sweet Waters, directed by Elijah Ndoumbe. The Best Africa Short Film went to the all-around favourite of the jury, Sixteen Rounds, by director Loukman Ali from Uganda. The Best Short Film went to Miettie, a Canadian short film by directors Maude Bouchard and Camille Trudel.
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