AFDA to showcase visual talent

AFDA will host its annual experimental festival at its Durban North campus on Saturday, 20 June. The experimental festival geared at third year students allows them to discover and express their artistic intent as well as experiment with film, theatre and television craft techniques.

This will be the first time Durban will host the event and three pupils excited about the upcoming festival are local students, Vashil Ramdharee, Stefan Rust and Tayla-Rae Coetzer. Northglen News recently caught up with the trio to find out more about their journey into film.

“It’s always been a passion of mine to tell stories and make the audience feel real emotions. South Africa and Durban in particular has some amazing settings and this festival for me allows me to showcase my artistic side. My film is called Do You Believe In Love and it took me two days to shoot. I decided to film in black and white and it’s a thriller. My hope is that residents will come out and support the event,” Vashil said.

His fellow student, Stefan, was inspired to study film after beating two types of cancer.

“I had lung and bone cancer and while I was undergoing chemotheraphy I began making short films. It was sort of an escape for me and allowed me to forget about what I was going through. The experimental film festival for me has a very cool concept, there are no rules to follow and I’ve called my film Portrait Of A Lifehouse which in a way mirrors my journey. It’s all very metaphorical,” he explained.

Fellow third year student, Tayla-Rae said she was excited about Durban hosting its first experimental festival.

“When we were each given our projects, we were told to challenge the norms and I think that’s what I did with my film, Luna, which is a fantasy film. I think people will enjoy it but you have to watch it to find out more,” she said.

For more information contact AFDA on 031 569 2252. The campus is situated on Highdale Road.