The entry window for Jozi Film Fest’s Don’t Stop Wondering award is closing

This year on the 27th of September, the seventh Jozi Film Festival will commence in the city of gold, showcasing the work of filmmakers across Africa and the rest of the globe to local audiences.

Submissions opened back in February for feature films, short films, documentaries, and student films from both South African filmmakers and the international community. To support and celebrate local filmmakers, the Festival is once again partnering with the Discovery Channel to offer aspiring auteurs the chance to compete for the “Don’t Stop Wondering” Award.

The award calls on filmmakers across Africa to send 2-5 minute films and documentaries, showcasing and celebrating uniquely African stories.

“The philosophy behind this award is to allow Africans an opportunity to tell their own story, in their own way, and to provide a well-respected platform to make their voices heard,” says Lisa Henry Founder and Organiser of The Jozi Film Festival.

“Entrants can use mobile phones to shoot their films so the aim is to also motivate aspiring filmmakers to participate, and to make entry (which is free) as easy as possible.”

The Don’t Stop Wondering category is open to anyone over 18, residing on the African continent. Last year, applicants from  South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland and Uganda finished in the top 10 entrants.

Last years’ winner was local filmmaker Dusty Van Niekerk for his film, The Tragedy of Africa, which took an unblinking look at the rhino poaching crisis which South Africa continues to face.

“The Don’t Stop Wondering category saw a wide variety of subject matter submitted in 2017,” says Henry.

“Mr Ability was a very moving film from Uganda about a disabled man who makes a living despite the odds stacked against him.  Sjangalala was a film shot in Soweto about a pastor who spins cars on the weekend. Another Sunny Day from Namibia told the story of an albino living under the harsh African sun.”

Once this year’s top ten candidates are announced, their films will be showcased in July and August on the Discovery Channel as well as on Discovery’s and Jozi FilmFestival’s social media platforms, allowing the public to watch and vote for their favourite film.

“The Top 10 will also be screened at the Jozi Film Festival which takes place 27-30 September. One winner will be flown to JHB for JFF2018 Awards on 30th September to receive their prize,” says Henry.

Aside from putting their work in front of a global audience, the winner will receive Canon XF-405 video camera with Singer Photographic camera accessories worth over $5,800. This prize will set up an emerging filmmaker and allow them to continue making films with some incredible equipment.

So if you fancy showing off your filmmaking talents, you have until 28^th of May to get your entries in.

• To enter the JFF’s Don’t Stop Wondering Award, head over to Discovery’s website. Entries close on 28th May 2018.
• The Jozi Film Festival will take place on the  27 – 30 September at various venues across Johannesburg. People interested in attending the festival should keep an eye on the Jozi Film Festival Facebook page for all updates.