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Word from the Chief Executive
To kick start 2009, we asked a number of industry players for their thoughts on the year ahead. While concerns regarding the impact of the current economic crisis remain, many see industry opportunities arising from the roll out of digital, event-based broadcast opportunities coming out of the upcoming elections, the Confederations Cup and of course the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup SA. As Angela van Schalkwyk of Screen Africa also points out, there are signs that low-budget filmmaking is coming into its own.
As we stress in this edition, the countdown to 2010 has also now truly begun. We update you on Gauteng’s readiness and note that crewing agencies are readying themselves for this major broadcasting event. In future editions, we’ll be bringing you news of developments that could impact our industry and advising of where and how to source necessary information.
Our industry’s moves to raise awareness of, and to counter, violence and xenophobia through the establishment of Filmmakers Against Racism is creating waves globally, with 4 FAR-produced documentaries being shown at Berlinale this month, as well as an intensive forum on the topic and future actions. February also sees the release of Michael Raeburn’s anticipated cinematic interpretation of Marlene van Niekerk’s Triomf.
Our production updates include Saving Soweto produced by Left Hand Films and Fort Greene Filmworks for Al Jazeera English as well as the live broadcast of the BBC’s high acclaimed Top Gear and the formation of Jollywood.
This month’s location focus looks at historic homes of Gauteng, looking not only at the mansions available but also many other intriguing sites and examples of more humble historic abodes.
Lastly, we’d like to assure our readers that despite the current Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department strike, the JMPD has advised that a special provision has been made for filmmakers, who must follow the standard procedures. Our Locations Officer, Seitiso Mogoshane, is available to advise.
Terry Tselane
Chief Executive
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IN BRIEF
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Will it be doom or boom times ahead?
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As is traditional at the start of a new year, In Focus spoke to the industry to establish the mood regarding sector prospects for 2009 – and found a mixed bag, with difficult times predicted but an overall optimism due to solid projects ahead for South Africa, including the upcoming Elections, the Confederations Cup in June, and of course the 2010 World Cup…
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Caught on Safari – Jhb-based Inala works with National Geographic, broadcasting live from the Kruger
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Gauteng’s skills are in demand, as highlighted by a recent project carried out by Johannesburg-based Inala Broadcast for National Geographic’s 7-day live channel broadcast from the Kruger National Park…
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JMPD makes special provision for filmmakers
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Despite the current Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department strike, the JMPD has advised that a special provision has been made for filmmakers, who must follow standard procedures regarding film permits…
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FAR reaches out at Berlinale
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Four documentaries produced by Filmmakers Against Racism (FAR) form part of this year’s 2009 Berlinale Forum at the prestigious 59th Berlin International Film Festival, taking place in Germany from 5 – 15th February…
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The Refinery Group restructures
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Newly appointed MD of The Refinery Group Jhb, Tumaini Leshoai, recently announced major re-structuring, including amalgamating the V-Lab and Refinery businesses into one streamlined company at the Group’s Bryanston premises. “We are looking at possibly creating a new brand name for this amalgamation,” says Leshoai, “But for now the new entity will simply continue as The Refinery.”…
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Joburg shifts into Top Gear
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The Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg revved and rocked recently when the zany combination of Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson and Richard ‘Hamster’ Hammond teamed up with 5FM DJ and noted motoring enthusiast, Sasha Martinengo, to present the thrilling MPH Live Theatre…
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Triomf set for 2009 FESPACO competition
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Support of local content and films that display originality and creative ambition by the Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) is showing visible results, with Michael Raeburn’s Triomf being selected for the FESPACO 2009 (the Pan-African Film & TV Festival) official competition…
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Joburg street culture gets a viewing in Lullaby
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Academy Award nominee Director Darrell James Roodt’s latest movie, Lullaby, was released nationally in January. A fast-paced drug thriller, set in downtown Johannesburg and Hillbrow, Lullaby could have taken place anywhere in the world, says the movie’s producer, Anton Ernst…
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eJozi meets eKapa
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Gauteng’s popularity as a source of locations is growing, according to recent feedback from Cape-based producers and the increased number of Cape-based queries to the GFC. Commenting on this, Jacques Stoltz, Senior Marketing Manager at the GFC, said the Commission was delighted with the positive response to the networking breakfast held in Cape Town in December last year, hosted by the GFC and the Commercial Producers Association (CPA) and facilitated by The Filmmakers Guide to South Africa…
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Keet leaves the Video Lab
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Dave Keet, well known to the industry as Managing Director of the Video Lab in Blairgowrie, Randburg, has called it a day. Keet has been at the Video Lab for many years and his relaxed and professional manner have endeared him to hundreds of producers, directors, filmmakers and commercials companies…
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Doccie on Bara gets global attention
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A documentary series for Al Jazeera English, centering on Soweto’s Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the world’s largest hospital, has raised much awareness of the dedicated people working in South Africa’s health sector. Saving Soweto, which had its worldwide premiere on the 9th January, is an eight-part documentary series produced by Left Hand Films and Fort Greene Filmworks for Al Jazeera English (DSTV406 in South Africa)…
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Historic homes of Gauteng: from mansions to migrants
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Despite the bustling metropolis and modern African city that is Johannesburg, the city and its historic homes have been used for many period films and television dramas. The Sammy Marks museum and Melrose House in Tshwane are very popular locations, as is The Windybrow Theatre in Johannesburg…
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Series looking at Gauteng’s suppliers – Concilium and Black Media
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As the 8th in a series of articles profiling various manufacturers, suppliers and services that cater specifically to the film and television industry in Gauteng, In Focus spoke to Concilium Technologies (Pty) Ltd, who handle systems solutions, turnkey projects, consultation, training and sales support, and Blank Media, a registered importer and exporter of blank media and its accessories.
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TECHNO TALK
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What’s a flying spot all about?
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In the previous newsletter we examined the Telecine machine with particular reference to the Photo Conductive Film (PCF) chain type device, how it developed and its application in our high technology industry. In this second part, we examine the Flying spot telecine, and also take a look at the CCD telecine. In Focus will attempt to keep these techno talk articles simple and concise, so apologies in advance to our more technical readers who may be expecting a bit more depth – the purpose of these articles is to introduce newcomers to the industry to technical topics…
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2010 COUNTDOWN
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Gauteng on track
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Gauteng is on track to give the world the most exciting World Cup events. As Africa’s foremost Global City Region, Gauteng offers visitors the best of both Worlds; excellent infrastructure combined with African warmth and hospitality…
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Call for crew
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With the countdown having truly begun, some of the country’s top industry recruitment specialists are actively working on 2010…
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| FESTIVAL & AWARD WATCH |
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Last chance to vote for SAFTAs
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Voting lines for the 2009 SAFTAs are open on sms 34762 until Friday 6 February at 12pm for the People’s Choice categories of Best Hero/Heroine, Best Comic, Best Dressed, and Best Villain/Villainess, so get your vote in now. For Best Soapie, the lines close 45 minutes before the Awards end. SMS costs R2.
The event takes place at the State Theatre in Pretoria, Tshwane this Saturday, 7 Febraury, with a live transmission on SABC2.
Best Soapie :
1. Isidingo
2. Muvhango
3. Generations
4. 7de Laan
5. Rhythm City
6. Scandal
| Best Hero/Heroine: |
| 1. Generations |
Karabo Moroka |
Connie Fergusson |
| 2. Generations |
Sibusisio Dlomo “Ngamla” |
Menzi Mgubane |
| 3. Isidingo |
Rajesh Kumar |
Jack Devnarain |
| Best Comic: |
| 1. Generations |
Queen |
Sophie Ndaba |
| 2. Generations |
Fats |
Mpho Molepo |
| 3. Isidingo |
Paula |
Diaan Molepo |
| Best Dressed: |
| 1. Generations |
Karabo Moroka |
Connie Fergusson |
| 2. Generations |
Dineo Mashaba |
Katlego Danke |
| 3.Rhythm City |
Lucila Vilakazi |
KB Motsilanyane |
| Best Villain/Villainess: |
| 1. Isidingo |
Barker Haynes |
Robert Whitehead |
| 2. Muvhango |
Doobsie Mukwevho |
Khabonina Qubeka |
| 3. Rhythm City |
David Genaro |
Jamie Bartlett |
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59th Berlin International Film Festival
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5 – 15 February 2009
This year’s Festival will feature 4 documentaries from Filmmakers Against Racism (FAR)
For more information, go to http://www.berlinale.de
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FESPACO – Africa’s largest film festival
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28 February – 7 March 2009, Burkina Faso
This year sees the 21st edition of the Pan-African Film and TV Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), as well as the 40th anniversary of the festival. The theme for FESPACO 2009 is “African Cinema: Tourism and Cultural Heritage”. The official competition is exclusively reserved for African and Diaspora Films in the genre of feature films, short films and documentaries.
The Festival will pay tribute to Ousmane Sembene, doyen of African filmmakers and pioneer of FESPACO, who passed away on 9 June 2007. He was one of the pioneers of the African movie industry and a regular of FESPACO, having attended nearly all the festival’s editions without a break from 1969 to 2005. Sembene made twenty or so films including nine features, and always believed in and defended the film industry in Africa all over the world. Sembene the African, endeavoured to promote FESPACO and to unite filmmakers across the continent for the development of African cinema.
For more information, go to http://www.fespaco.bf/
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Television’s premier international conference, INPUT 2009
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Warsaw, Poland, 10 – 15 May 2009
Warsaw, Poland, 10 – 15 May 2009
Following on from the highly successful conference in South Africa last year, INPUT 2009 looks to be as exciting and educational as always. The organizers of INPUT 2009 have announced that the system for accreditation and hotel reservations is now open.
The cost of participating in the INPUT 2009 conference is 46. For all those who register their participation in the conference and pay prior to January 31, 2009, the accreditation fee is 36. The accreditation fee for students is 26. To claim the reduced fee accreditation, students must present a valid student ID.
More information can be found at http://www.input-2009.org/en/input_2009_participants_accreditation.html
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Africala Mexico 2009 calls on young filmmakers
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Warsaw, Poland, 10 – 15 May 2009
Africala Mexico, which takes place from 22 – 26 April and forms part of Africala Latin America (Mexico, Chile and Venezuela) is calling on young African filmmakers to enter and win a trip to the festival in Mexico, including a visit to the National School of Cinema in Mexico City. The festival will be selecting 30 short films, with the most voted for being the winner, and forming part of the official selection for the Festival. Filmmakers such as Del Toro, Inaritu and Cuaron attend this festival every year.
For more information, visit www.africala.org or email Flavio Florencio at ff@africala.org
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Cannes Lions open for entries
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Warsaw, Poland, 10 – 15 May 2009
Entries are now open for the 56th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival for all categories – Film, Press, Outdoor, Direct, Media, Cyber, Radio, Promo, Design, Titanium, Integrated and the new PR Lions category. There are also changes to Integrated, Media, Direct and Promo Lions, and more ways to enter Digital work in various categories.
Entry forms can be completed online at http://www.canneslions.com
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NEED TO KNOW
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Talent Campus Durban at the 30th Durban International Film Festival
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The 30th Durban International Film Festival (22 July – 2 August 2009) is proud to announce the 2nd edition of Talent Campus Durban from 24 – 28 July 2009, an intensive 5-day programme of workshops and seminars delivered by film professionals to enhance both theoretical and practical approaches to filmmaking. The 2nd Talent Campus Durban theme Roots and Shoots: Creating a New African Cinema will focus activities towards the development of new partnerships between African filmmakers.
Talent Campus Durban invites filmmakers from Africa to apply to participate in these workshops and seminars, which take place in Durban, South Africa, over five days. In addition to specific activities offered by the Campus, the selected talents will have the opportunity to attend films and events at the 30th Durban International Film Festival.
Deadline for application: 16 March 2009. Full Rules and Regulations can be downloaded from: http://www.cca.ukzn.ac.za/talentdiff2009.htm
For further details, email talent@ukzn.ac.za or talent.durban@gmail.com or telephone +27 (0)31 260 2506/1367
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Environmental Film Festival of Accra calls for film and video submissions
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Environmental Film Festival of Accra is currently accepting films and videos made about the environment or issues around the environment. The festival also accept films and videos that explore the relationship between the environment and other socio- economic, political and cultural themes. While preference is given to films about Ghana and Africa, highly acclaimed international films are also screened. Films should preferably depict positive and realistic images and can be of any genre – drama, comedy, horror, adventure, romance, science fiction, experimental, etc
To submit your film or find out more about the Environmental Film Festival of Accra, go to http://www.effaccra.org/
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30th edition of DIFF calls for entries
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The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) has announced that its landmark 30th edition will take place from 22 July to 2 August 2009.
The festival will present over 200 screenings of films from around the world, with a special focus on films from South African and Africa . Screenings will take place throughout Durban including township areas where cinemas are non-existent. The festival will also offer an extensive seminar and workshop programme featuring local and international filmmakers, and 2009 will see the return of the very successful Talent Campus Durban.
The festival calls for entries – feature films, short films and documentaries are all welcome. The festival does have a competition component. The deadline for entries
is 31 March 2009 for short films and documentaries; 15 April 2009 for feature films. Early submissions are encouraged.
The entry form is available on the web: For further information visit: http://www.cca.ukzn.ac.za/ , email diff@ukzn.ac.za or call +27 (0)31 260 2506. |
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Wildlife Film Academy moves to Untamed Africa reserve
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Wildlife Film Acaemdy, who specialize in teaching the art of wildlife filmmaking is moving from its current location in Cape Town to the popular Untamed Africa reserve, a concession in the south of the Kruger National Park. This move gives students the opportunity of spending a month at Untamed Africa while learning the art of wildlife filmmaking.
Course dates for the remaining first quarter of 2009 are 16 February – 17 March, and 23 March – 21 April.
For more information, email info@wildlifeacademy.com or visit http://www.wildlifeacademy.com/
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