Thankyou and Goodnight

And on that note, our Film Industry Review process is now complete (bar the shouting) so the Durban Film Partnership blogspot also draws to a close. Over the past few months we've linked to 150 stories on training opportunities, festivals seeking African product, local successes, and interesting news about industry trends that will affect the way you produce in the future. It's shown almost daily that Durban Filmmakers are not in fact in the vacuum you fear you are, and that your connection to the outside world is more important than ever. So now it's over to you to pick up where I'm leaving off, and run with it.

Thanks for reading. And Happy Filmmaking in Durban - South Africa's future capital of indie film.

Cape Winelands Film Festival Call for Entires

Since the first edition the Cape Winelands Film Festival (CWFF) has significantly grown in size and international participation. More than 70 features, documentaries and short films from over 35 countries were in competition during 2009. More than130 productions formed part of the festival programme, in total 62 featues, 27 documentaries and 44 shorts from more than 35 countries. The 2nd edition of the festival had 32 international guests. The festival had more than 300 screenings in March 2009.



Now the 3rd edition of what's become one of South Africa's largest film festivals has announced its call for entries. Entry forms are available on the official website of the festival: http://films-for-africa.co.za/ The festival will take place from 17 - 27 March 2010 in Cape Town and Stellenbosch.

And incidentally, if you want to see Facebook in action as a marketing and promotional tool, then join the festival's Facebook group; these guys are really leading the way in profiling their films and their festival using this totally free medium.

SATV CHANNEL LAUNCHES IN DURBAN

In case you missed this in the press, Durban is now the proud host to an online tv station all of its own. Welcome to the future, and congratulations to everyone involved: now it's your turn to get on board: visit SATV Channel and upload your projects for free.

International Black DocuFest 2009

Saturday 25th July is the last day for submissions to the International Black DocuFest (IBDF)in Atlanta, Georgia.



IBDF's mission is to showcase the most innovative and compelling documentary films on the lives of people of African descent. Through a series of screenings, workshops and facilitated panel discussions, the International Black DocuFest explores the creative ways in which documentaries capture and chronicle the diverse experiences of black life from around the globe.

In other words, they want YOUR stories. The 3rd annual International Black DocuFest ™ will be hosted at Atlanta’s celebrated High Museum of Art on September 17 th – 19th, 2009. So jump to it.

Lisbon Docs 2009

Calling all Documentary Makers - Lisbon Docs 2009 is calling for proposals

Lisbon Docs is a documentary pitching session consisting of:
- a pitching session and workshop
- screenings of new films
- master classes on international aspects of documentary making



The workshop takes place on October 20-22. In the intense working atmosphere of the pitching workshop, 21 documentary projects are discussed, developed and turned upside down by colleagues and a tutor team of six internationally experienced professionals. Then on October 23 and 24 all projects are pitched to a panel of 10-12 Commissioning Editors from leading international co-production TV-channels.

For further information on how to apply, participation fees and other details please take a look at the EDN site about Lisbon Docs or contact EDN Network Manager Hanne Skjødt at hanne@edn.dk

Deadline for applying is September 4.

Two Seas SA TV

Two Seas TV, a production company in Cape Town, has set up an online social network dedicated to film and TV production in South Africa.



It offers a number of tools to help you to stay in touch with other members and increase your online presence:

· Advertise your company
· Promote your film
· Drive traffic to your site
· Share ideas
· Brainstorm concepts
· Meet potential partners
· Read news & reviews
· Watch clips

It’s also FREE and easy to sign up, so go to: http://twoseas.socialgo.com/ and try it out, see if this kind of thing can work for us in KZN.

DIFF Film Finance Session

On Saturday 25 July DIFF will host a session entitled 'Solutions To Film Finance'.

With panellists from the Africa Carribean Pacific (ACP), the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the NFVF, represented by Clarence Hamilton, the session will address some of the options for funding available to local filmmakers.



15h00 – 16h30 at the ROYAL-GAR(B)

13 Durban-distributed Films at DIFF

It's good to see Durban companies working to support Durban initiatives. Videovision Entertainment for instance has been a long-time supporter of the Durban International Film Festival and in 2009 is looking local to present a really magnificent slate of movies including African premieres of films such as Looking For Eric, London River, An Education, Samson & Delilah and Whatever Works." That's film partnership for you.



DIFF starts on the 23rd. Be there.

IndieVillage SA Short Film Competition

Independent filmmakers from across South Africa are invited to submit their work for entry into The IndieVillage South African Short Film Competition.



The goal of this festival is to support independent South African filmmakers by bringing their names, faces and artistic works to new audiences.

Films announced as part of the finals will be selected by panel and screened at the IndieVillage South African Film Festival scheduled to take place 27th May to 30th May 2010 in Toronto. All finalists will also become eligible to win one of the following prizes:

Grand Prize- R 10 000
1st Runner Up- R 3 000
2nd Runner Up- R2 000

So what can I say? This is a festival about you, and for you. Best you get applying. For more information and submission requirements, click here

NFVF Survey

Given your isolation from the SA film & tv hub of Johannesburg, I thought you might be interested in this. The NFVF is currently conducting a research for the South African entertainment industry and would be very appreciative if you would participate in the survey – link below, which should take no longer than 5 minutes. Your response will be kept strictly confidential and will be used solely for this project.



The objectives of the survey are to determine the perception of the public regarding the NFVF and also gauge the level of understanding of the NFVF activities from beneficiaries, while at the same time it should help us in assessing if there is need for a film publication. So here's your chance to tell them what you think.....

The survey will be opened to receive your response up until Friday the 24th of July 2009 at 12h00.Click on the below to take part in the survey.

South African Entertainment Industry Survey

Monetising Digital

Some interesting stuff at Slate.com on the difficulties of monetising digital media. So, what are your chances of achieving YouTube stardom? Chris Wilson crunched the numbers to find out what percentage of YouTube videos hit it big, cracking even 10,000 or 100,000 views......

The results: here


(believe it or not, the fourth most viewed on You Tube???)

KZN Sharks Board Video - Call for Expressions of Interest

A local opportunity: The KZN Sharks Board has called for Expressions of Interest for the production of a 30 minute audio-visual film of its activities along the KZN coast. The bid reference number is: KZNSB5/07/2009.



So if you are really (really?) serious about getting into the water with the above, armed with nothing more than your camera, the deadline for submissions is 17th July. For more information contact Mrs. D. Hargreaves on 031 566 0431

PLURAL+ Film Festival Call for Entries

In collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other international partners, the UN Alliance Of Civilizations is launching a youth video festival exploring themes related to migration and diversity.

PLURAL+ is aimed at involving youth in addressing the key issues in their community related to migrant integration, inclusiveness, identity, diversity, human rights and social cohesiveness.



The project invites anyone aged 9-25 to submit short videos on their thoughts, experiences, opinions, questions and suggestions on how to promote harmonious yet diverse societies.

Submissions will be accepted from 1 June-30 September 2009. A prestigious international jury will announce the winners at an awards ceremony at New York's Paley Center for Media on 18 December 2009, coinciding with International Migrants Day. More from the NFVF

Young Durban Success Story

At the CIAK Junior Film Festival Awards in Italy last month, a 14 year old Durban girl, Amber-Jay van Rooyen, won 'Best Actor/Actress' and the overall 'Best Film' as well as the UNESCO Fellini Medal awarded to the film that best embodied the spirit and culture of its country.


She has now been snapped up to take part in the 2009 Durban International Film Festival, in the Short Film Category. This will be the first public airing of her film 'Coming Home', a story telling about a young city girl who moves to the farm and battles to settle in. It is on the farm that she meets an old Zulu Sangoma who teaches her three important life lessons and is based on Amber-Jay's own experiences.

More on this local success story here.