The Joburg Film Festival wrapped up at a glittering event at the Zone with the African premiere of Nate Parker’s Birth of a Nation.
The evening also saw the awarding of three prizes in the categories of Best South African Film, Best African Film and Best Film.
With more than 60 films screened at various venues across Johannesburg during the nine-day festival, audiences had the opportunity to see world and African premieres.
Twelve films competed, including documentaries, The Giant is Falling, from director Rehad Desai; and William Mbaye Kemtiyu’s, Cheik Anta. A host of South African films was also entered including The Whale Caller, the much-anticipated film from Zola Maseko, based on the novel by Zakes Mda; and Vaya from director Akin Omotoso.
African filmmakers from across the continent were also featured with films, The Wedding Ring by director Rahmatou Keita; Wulu directed by Daouda Coulibaly; Licinio de Azevedo’s The Train of Salt and Sugar; Joseph Adesunyole’s White Color Black; and Mbithi Masya ‘s Kati Kati.
International films such as Haiti My Love also competed for the coveted Best Film Award.
Jury members who deliberated to choose the winners included some of Africa’s top film industry names such as
much-loved South African actress and producer, Terry Pheto; Cameroonian filmmaker and photographer, Osvalde Lewat; filmmaker and regional secretary of the Federation of Pan-African Filmmakers, Asha Lovelace; and Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom, South African theatre and television writer/director.
Joburg Film Festival 2016 winners were:
- Best SA Film: The Giant Is Falling by Rehad Desai
- Best African Film: The Whale Caller by Zola Maseko
- Best Film: The Train Of Salt And Sugar by Licinio Azevedo
- Special mention of the jury: The Wedding Ring by Rahmatou Keita.
