Page 27 - KZN Film A Report

with filmmakers from other countries and to stay ahead of industry trends while forging relationships either for further funding, distribution or co-production opportunities.
The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission also supported three other international festivals that took place in the province during the financial year, namely, The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), Durban Film Mart (DFM) and the Nature environment wildlife Film Congress (NEWF). Through these platforms, KZN Film Commission gets to showcase its programmes, production, talent and KZN Locations.
Also, the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission along with the National Film and Video Foundation partnered with the Independent Filmmakers Project (IFP) now called Gotham, a community of creators, producers and distributors working across film, TV, audio and beyond to advance the future of the story. Among other projects that NFVF supported was “The Honeymoon” by Bianca Isaac with was supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission to participate online for a week programme.
Audience Development
The KZNFC Audience Development is an initiative where local content, in particular KZN films, are screened in communities across the Province. The screenings seek to develop a culture of watching or consuming local films and/or movies among communities while providing an opportunity to market local content.
In 2020/2021 financial year the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission successfully implemented the following audience development initiatives: Kwasukasukela Film Festival, KwaZulu-Natal African Film Festival, Mzansi Reel Stories, Umgungundlovu Film Festival and Emerging Filmmakers Association (EFA). Each one of these in their programmes had masterclasses, panel discussions presentations and screening of local content.
Other Marketing and
Communications Programmes
The KZNFC Regional Information Sharing Session
The information-sharing sessions target the general public and introduce the industry and KZNFC’s offering to the industry to attract new entrants to the industry whether as a service provider to the film industry, practitioners in the industry or showcase career opportunities in film for the school going audience.
KZNFC presented information-sharing sessions in the rural areas and small-town such as Ulundi, Umhlathuze and
Umhlabuyalingana. More than 20 other information sessions were conducted in partnership with the funded projects reaching places such as KwaDukuza, Indwedwe, Eshowe, Jozini and Pietermaritzburg. The programmes targeted aspiring and emerging filmmakers.
The KZNFC hosted virtual industry information workshops sessions through Zoom to including a presentation on the white paper on audio and audio-visual promoting contribution and thereby increase input and participation by the film industry.
Marketing and Distribution Funding
The table below provide an indication of the distribution of certain KZNFC’s funded productions, The productions are on platforms such as Netflix, DSTV and ShowMax.
KZNFC Funded Project
Platform Screened
Keeping up with the Kandasamy’s: Wedding
ShowMax
Joko Ya Hao
DSTV Channel 164
3 Days to go
ShowMax
Deep End
ShowMax
NEWF Short Films Festival
DSTV Channel 180
Family Matters
ShowMax
Earthbeat Series
South African Airlines screenings
Simon “Mabhunu” Sabela, KZN Film
and TV Awards 2020
The 8th Annual Simon ‘Mabhunu’ Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards took place virtually (due to the COVID- 19 pandemic) on 12 September 2020. The prestigious awards that took place during the Durban International Film Festival programme, were aimed at recognising outstanding achievement and talent in the film and television industry, with a focus within the KwaZulu-Natal province. The first virtual awards by the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission were received very well by the industry as well as various other external stakeholders.
A total of 167 applications for the various categories were received, out of which 18 awards were awarded to the winners, and one-lifetime achievement awarded to the late Henry Cele for his outstanding contribution to the film and TV industry. This is made possible by the industry experts that play the role of being judges and independent auditors that audit the entire process.
KZN FILM COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2020/2021
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