NEWCASTLE KZN: Drive-in cinema is ready to roll

Create new memories at the Newcastle Drive-in Cinema events!

The Newcastle Drive-In cinema is set to take place on December 6, 13 and 20!

In an effort to grow the already struggling South African Film Industry, the movie selection will be proudly SA.

Opening film, Knuckle City will be on December 6, followed by Khumba for family night (December 13) and Five Fingers for Marseilles on the 20th.

Newcastle’s own Sibusiso Buthelezi is the organiser of this event.

“As a filmmaker, the concept of a drive-in cinema has always been appealing. With the global coronavirus pandemic, it created an opportunity to go back to the days of attending a drive-through… the National Film and Video Foundation called on filmmakers to host drive-ins, so I applied and received funding for the Newcastle one,” he explained.

Sibusiso (22) lives in Newcastle and has been active in the industry for 18 months, building up a profile as a talented scriptwriter and director in that time.

In 2019 he was selected to be part of the NFVF Youth Filmmakers Project and in 2020, his project Wrath was selected for the Durban Film Mart. He has also written several short films, funded by the NFVF and the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission.

“I decided to host this event in Newcastle because I believe in the potential of our town; it is a growing place and if everyone plays an active role in its development, it can grow into one of SA’s biggest cities,” explained Sibusiso. “Secondly I hosted this event because I saw the need to develop a cinema audience in Newcastle. With the Victorian Theatres closed for now, many movie lovers no longer get the opportunity to watch movies and enjoy a night out with their friends and family. Newcastle Drive-In is here to revive that!. Come and join us for a night filled with wonder and awe… re-awaken memories and create new ones with your friends and family, all from the comfort of your own vehicle!”