March 2008

by | Nov 16, 2010 | Newsletter

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Word from the Chief Executive

This month’s In Focus edition is all about young talent going big. We report on SA’s latest Oscar win, note with excitement the Student Oscar nomination of the AFDA honours graduate film Kammakastig Land, and congratulate Joburg-based Karin Slater for being selected as the African MIPDOC Trailblazer for 2008.

In partnership with the Wits Theatre, SABC and KLM (a student arts marketing initiative) GFC also welcomes the first annual Bafundi Film & TV Festival to Gauteng which will bring students from across South Africa’s leading film and media institutions to Johannesburg for screenings of current student work and a series of professional seminars.

We also chat to Soweto’s most prolific filmmaker, Dumisane Phakathi, who has made a name for himself across the visual arts field.  

On the facilities front, Vassie Govender from Visual Studio Production updates us on Randburg’s latest studio, whilst V-Lab re-opens at the Sasani Studio hub in Highlands North with a full production and post production audio facility.

In the first of a series of articles our special feature looks at leading Gauteng training institutions AFDA, Portal to Learning and CityVarsity.

Terry Tselane
Chief Executive

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IN BRIEF

SA-produced doccie wins an OSCAR

‘Taxi to the Dark Side’, one of the films made for the South African coordinated, global documentary project Why Democracy?, won the Documentary Feature award at the 80th Annual Academy Awards held last week in Los Angeles.
…to read more CLICK HERE

Karin Slater: African MIPDOC Trailblazer for 2008

Johannesburg-based Karin Slater has been selected as the African MIPDOC Trailblazer for 2008. One of five Trailblazers selected from South Africa, Greece, South Korea, Japan and Canada, Karin has been selected by the Encounters Documentary Festival (which forms part of the global jury) for her innovative and pioneering work.
…to read more CLICK HERE

‘Kammakastig Land’ nominated for 2008 ‘Student Oscars’

The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA) has confirmed that an AFDA honours short film ‘Kammakastig Land’ will represent South Africa at the 35th annual Student Academy Awards. AFDA and the crew of ‘Kammakastig Land’ will face stiff competition from some of the world�s best rising talent in the category of Honorary Foreign Film Student Award.
…to read more CLICK HERE

Wits Theatre to host Bafundi Film & TV Festival

Sponsored by the SABC and Gauteng Film Commission, the Bafundi Film & TV Festival is said to be the first ever national student film and television festival in South Africa. A cohort of South Africa’s finest student filmmakers will be descending on Wits for three days in March to share their work, network with industry leaders and find out how to make a living from their art.
…to read more CLICK HERE
 
 
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BEHIND THE SCENES

Sheilla Kubheka Bolsters Showreel
In addition to her natural ability to connect with her audience on a personal level, Sheilla Kubheka’s overwhelming presence as a strong, talented, female director in South Africa made her the most prominent choice to direct the new Radox TV spot for TBWA/Hunt/Lascaris, Durban.  
…to read more CLICK HERE
 
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AREA 5.1 launches in Gauteng

One of the most respected and considered the only true Dolby feature sound studio in South Africa re-launched recently at The Sasani Studio hub in Highlands North. In a case of out with the old and in with the new, top post production company V-Lab (formerly Video Lab) revamped an industry stalwart as a 21st century powerhouse.
…to read more CLICK HERE
 
 
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HOT SHOTS

Soweto’s most fruitful filmmaker turns to ‘Art’

Andrew Worsdale has a chat with Dumisane Phakathi Soweto’s most prolific, award-winning filmmaker about how he got started, what he thinks about making movies and why he’s recently decided to change direction and move into creating fine art – albeit with its origins in digital video.

  
…to read more CLICK HERE
 
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The No-Problem Man Opens A New Studio

Andrew Worsdale meets up with Vassie Govender of Visual Studio Production who has just opened a brand new fully equipped studio in the media hub of Randburg that aims to be a one-stop shop for Television production; what’s more Govender aims to help independent filmmakers get their dream projects, whatever the budget, off the ground.

  
…to read more CLICK HERE
 
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SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL FEATURE

Should I go to Film School?

Is it necessary to go to a film school to become a successful filmmaker?  How important is the knowledge of technology and film theory to getting into the business? Or is it better just to become a production assistant and move through the ranks? Starting this month and over the next few newsletters our correspondents will be taking a look at the many film and television institutions throughout Gauteng.
…to read more CLICK HERE
 
 
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FESTIVAL & AWARD WATCH

‘Gauteng Bioscope: Movies for Mahala!’

1 Feb – 20 March 2008
Various Community Centres, Gauteng
Contact the GFC at 011 833 0409

  
 
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Bafundi Film and TV Festival

16 � 18 March 2008
Wits Theatre, University of the Witwatersrand
Contact: or
Tel: 011 717 1373

2008 Japanese Film Festival

Cinema Nouveau Brooklyn Mall, 14 – 16 March
Cinema Nouveau The Mall of Rosebank, 21 – 27 March
 
 
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NEED TO KNOW

Input 2008: Registrations Open

Online registration for Input 2008 – the world’s biggest TV programming event opened in December 2007. Registration fees (for the screenings, opening night reception, video library service and evening sessions) are as follows:

� Regular Rate: Rand ZAR 400.00
� Student Rate: Rand ZAR 250.00

To register vist: www.input2008.org.za

Bookings now open: ‘What is animation? A workshop for non-animators’

Wednesday, 2 April 2008 
North Riding, Gauteng

Equiries:
Tel 011 794 3000
Email: animation@portaltolearning.co.za
Website: www.portaltolearning.co.za
 
 

Gauteng Film Commission
9th floor, 56 Main Street, Johannesburg, 2108
Tel: +27-11-833-0409
Fax: +27-11-833-0282
Email:
Web:
 
 
 

In Focus is a publication of the Gauteng Film Commission – All rights reserved.
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