THE Cannes South Africa Film Factory was launched at the Cannes Film Festival today, Wednesday, 20 May. Zidaka, a South African Production company, in partnership with the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), KwaZulu Natal Film Commission and Dominique Welinski and the Cannes Quinzaine, France are opening doors to four South African Directors.
Cannes South African Film Factory will provide an opportunity for four SA directors and four international directors to collectively produce four short films that would have a greater opportunity of screening at the official Cannes program next year. “This is the fourth programme we’re running since our launch. We’ve produced successful projects that have received rave reviews internationally, as well as being screened at the Cannes official programme,” says Dominique Welinskifrom the Cannes Film Factory.
Local directors have five weeks to apply for this life changing opportunity. “Our selection process comprises a short list to ten directors, which will be followed by in-depth interviews at the Durban international Film Festival. This is where we will select the four qualifying directors,” says Jeremy Nathan of Zidaka. Carol Coetzee, KZN Film Commission CEO added that the programme was a great platform to showcase not only what South African directors can do, but also what the country has to offer, particularly Durban as all the four films will be shot in KwaZulu Natal.
“We are proud to be associated with such a massive opportunity that will up skill our youth. The NFVF strives for an industry that is constantly growing, and this programme provides exactly that as it will uplift our talent, showcases the country as well as creates collaboration,” says NFVF CEO Zama Mkosi.
Directors who wish to participate in this programme have five weeks to apply, and need to have a strong feature concept attached to their motivation, a producer must be attached, and need to have directed one short film, a first feature film or a documentary. They can be between the ages of 23 and 35 years old. They need to be available to participate in a workshop during the Durban International Film Festival in July and be available to film in October and November, 2015. The films will premier at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016.
AFDA Durban has offered its edit facilities for post production. Media Film Services and Sound Surfers, Hollard Film Guarantors and Cote Ouest Audiovisual and InstitFrancais are all official partners.
The selection of the four directors will take place at the beginning of the Durban International Film Festival by the partners.More information on how to apply and criteria can be downloaded on the Film Factory website.
