The Nelson Mandela Children’s Film Festival (NMCFF) commemorates Nelson Mandela through its fifth anniversary celebration.
In a statement released by the organisation, co-founder Firdoze Bulbulia said the former president was passionate about children. “The Nelson Mandela Children’s Film Festival began as a means to continue the Father of our Nation, uTata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s passion for supporting and nurturing the youth as leaders of tomorrow. This year the Nelson Mandela Children’s Film Festival, in collaboration with Brand South Africa and it’s Pay Your Part initiative celebrates it’s fifth anniversary.”
Speaking at Sanctuary Hotel in Houghton Estate this week, Bulbulia said the foundation’s aim was to use Mandela’s legacy to inspire the youth.
“We believe that film, animation and gaming are innovative and unique mediums that can open new windows, shedding light on different cultures and traditions. The festival therefore acts as a platform for empowering young South Africans to participate in the global dialogue on film and media.”
Theatre Director Benjy Francis added he was humbled to receive the lifetime achievement award.
“I am very touched by communities and NGOs that give my work a nod, but we need our country to understand there are people in our country that can fly the flag for ambassadorship in other regions. What we need to change is what the arts sponsor, we are sponsoring huge monolithic theatres; we need to debulk the theatre and make it accessible to more communities.”
Benjy added he was always passionate to teach art in communities. “I’ve been working with children from 1967, I was seeking to work with high school students trying to bring them together in a festival. One of the things that couldn’t happen in those days is you couldn’t bring all the communities together, especially the white community, because it wasn’t prepared to get involved, but I continued to work very intensely with young people.”
Another lifetime achievement award recipient, Elizabeth Castle said her relationship with the foundation began when she taught at the art foundation.
“My relationship with the NMCFF began when I taught adults and children at the Johannesburg Art Foundation and the festival approached me. The art foundation is where I taught without being didactic and taught according to people’s needs. We didn’t write tests, it was an interactive movement that each one contributed.”
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