African cinema showcased amid free workshops, screenings

The Joburg Film Festival is rolling out free workshops and film screenings in the build-up to the main festival, which is set to showcase the finest films from more than 16 countries from across Africa and the world.

The youth and audience development programme, organised in partnership with Gauteng Film Commission and MultiChoice Group, kicks off this weekend in a celebration of the art of cinema and storytelling in Atteridgeville – the birthplace of notable filmmakers and actors like Kagiso Lediga and the late Sibusiso Khwinana.

Khwinana was leading man in the film Matwetwe, which will be screened tomorrow at Mbolekwa Sports Complex hall.

Joburg Film Festival executive director Timothy Mangwedi said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better partner than the MultiChoice Group, an organisation that is passionate about African storytelling, as we believe our stories are our gold.”

He said the main film festival, from November 19 to 24, will hold screenings in Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City and other venues across Johannesburg, like the Bioscope in Maboneng, Constitution Hill, Cinema Nouveau Rosebank and Kings Cinema in Alexandra.

Inspired by the establishment of Discop Africa, the festival is now in its third year. It was born out of the desire to create an independent platform that not only tells Africa’s stories, but showcases and rewards the continent’s and international excellence in film.

“We see the film festival as a critical catalyst for social cohesion, showcasing a special collection of films that celebrate Africa’s beauty, people, creativity and reflect the continent’s bold spirit and talent,” said Mangwedi.

He said the festival was firmly positioned in Johannesburg, the country’s cultural capital, attracting the best in the industry and growing cultural tourism.

“We are confident that we can build a world-class annual film festival that becomes entrenched on the international film circuit and positions Joburg as a prime destination for local and international filmmakers,” he said.

A winner will be selected from among young filmmakers who participated in the workshops. The prize is a camera kit and a bursary.

The Joburg Film Festival film club will also be launched.

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