Women-led film – disrupting the status quo
As the women’s struggle in film begins to finally garner the attention it needs around the world, we need to look to achieving some concrete results.
IN what is called a resolute move to address the role of women in film, the Durban International Film Festival and the Durban FilmMart (DFM), this year presents an in-depth programme that addresses the inequalities, challenges and successes that women face within the film industry, specifically in South Africa and on the continent.
Calling for an inclusive dialogue on the role of women, the eThekwini Municipality’s film industry arm – the Durban Film Office, the Durban International Film Festival, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the lobby and advocacy organization Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT), and international partner CaribbeanTales Media Group, are all providing input into the Women Led Film – Disrupting the Status Quo programme within this year’s DFM which takes place from July 14 -17 in Durban.
Speaking on behalf of the DFM, Toni Monty of the Durban Film Office said: “Despite major leaps for female equity across many industries, the film industry, especially behind the camera, is still very much male-dominated and as such, requires quantum shifts to ensure that women begin playing a more equitable role going forward. The objective of our women-focused programme is to bring a variety of voices together to discuss and unpack these challenges and to find useful and tangible ways to make the change needed and desired.”The programme will present a number of workshops, roundtables and panel discussions with leading women in film.
“In a world of vast gender inequalities, it is inevitable to reflect at such bitter reality, and more importantly start working towards their redress: which starts with creation of platforms. The Women Led Film Focus becomes one of the many attempts in securing platforms to acknowledge, deliberate, and celebrate woman excellence in the film milieu.,” said David wa Maahlamela, Director of UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts, hosts of the Durban International Film Festival.
Sara Blecher, well-known South African film-maker and co-founder of SWIFT (Sisters Working in Film & Television) which aims to nurture and redress the inequalities faced by women in the South African audiovisual industry, echoes these sentiments.”As the women’s struggle in film begins to finally garner the attention it needs around the world, we need to look to achieving some concrete results. We have to really start looking at the local film landscape and our status within this. The focus on women at DFM, will help shine the spotlight both on the representation of women on the screen, but also more importantly on the women behind the screen,” she said.
The Durban FilmMart runs from July 14 to 17, during the Durban International Film Festival. Delegate registration is now open. For more information or to register go to www.durbanfilmmart.com
