THIS year’s edition of the Durban International Film Festival, which begins next month from 16 to 26 June once more features a very strong selection of African titles.
With just under half of all the films originating from Africa and South Africa, and much of the rest of the programme dealing with diasporic issues and identity politics, this year’s DIFF is a true festival of African film located within a global context.
Of the 101 feature-length films to be shown at the festival, 50 are African films, including 17 fiction films and 9 documentaries, while there
are 24 South African films, including 10 fiction films and 14 documentaries. In addition, more than 90 short films, the majority of which are African and South African will be in the programme this year.
Now in its 37th year, and organised by UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts, DIFF is the continent’s leading showcase of African film, while also providing a strong programme of world cinema for local audiences, featuring the kind of titles that would otherwise not get a showing on commercial screens in South Africa. Key titles from the continent’s ever-expanding film industry include As I Open My Eyes, a powerful personal tale told on the eve of Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution, Naked Reality, the latest film from provocative filmmaker Jean-Pierre Bekolo, Nakom, a haunting film about the conflict between tradition, modernity and love, Ghostland, about the loss of language and identity of indigenous Nambian people, and I Shot Bi Kidude, the long awaited feature film about African musical legend Bi Kidude.
Acting Festival Director Peter Machen was enthusiastic about this year’s programme saying, “This is my 27th year of attending the festival and it’s been incredible to watch the continual expansion of African cinema, as the industry slowly rebirths in the wake of colonialism. African cinema continues to grow more and more complex, offering a wealth of cinematic language that puts much of mainstream cinema to shame.”
The festival will also focus on issues around indigenous rights and colonialism, a few films deal with HIV, and a rich programme of films about dance and music.
Machen, said a number of new venues this year, include the Playhouse, NuMetro Pavilion and various community centres around Durban. “Durbanites can look forward to another exciting and eclectic selection of films,” said Machen.
The festival will take place at the Playhouse, Ster Kinekor Musgrave, Ster Kinekor Nouveau, Nu Metro Pavilion, the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, the KZNSA Gallery, Rivertown Beerhall and the Elangeni-Maharani Hotel, with festival hubs at the Elangeni-Maharani and the Playhouse.
Visit www.durbanfilmfest.co.za for more information.
