Film festival intrigued attendants
The opening of the Independent Mzansi Short Film Festival on 25 June intrigued many people who attended the festival. The festival will span five days – from 25 to 29 June.
A large number of people flocked to the MAXI-Cineplex in the Hatfield Plaza in Pretoria to witness the opening of the Independent Mzansi Short Film Festival (IMSFF) on Wednesday night. The short film festival is aimed to last for five days – from 25 to 29 June. During the festival over 100 short films will be screened for up to 60 hours.
Jacques Brand, the festival organiser, said the mission for the opening night was to introduce the festival to the public and to answer all the questions about the festival. The attendants were intrigued by three films that were selected for the opening night. “Our opening night had a 75% turnout and for a week night the response was very good. The public really enjoyed the three films that were selected for the opening night and the live question and answers session was also a great success,” he said.
Brand stated that IMSFF’s aim was to present quality short films as well as support, recognise and honour filmmakers creating films shorter than 25 minutes. Their selection of films included Silverskermfees Shorts and the best Afrinolly Shorts from all over Africa. The attendants also witnessed incredible films from the Festival de Cannes Short Film Corner selections, The Top 10 Short Films of 2013 and the Oscar winner for best animated short. The festival concluded with a short film by Shane Valdés starring Matthew McConaughey.
Brand added that this year the festival will have 16 award categories, better known as the Mzansi’s. The festival’s nominees and winners will be chosen by a distinguished panel of jurors comprising industry professionals like Leon van Nierop, Rehad Desai, Tom Marais and Multiple SAFTA winners. The festival will conclude with the gala awards ceremony on 29 June.
There is a cash prize of R50 000 at stake and one short film will get the opportunity to develop its story into a full feature film with Mzansi Bioskop where it will première. Tickets per film session will be sold at the venue for R25.00, while a day pass will cost R70. For details regarding the short film festival go to their website www.imsff.co.za.
