The 39th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), which takes place from July 19 to 29, has announced its films and jury members for this year’s competition including three Nigerian film practitioners but with no film from Nollywood.
A statement Monday by Sharlene Versfeld of Memeza Communications lists the fiction section jurors as Bongiwe Selane, the award-winning SA producer with a string of credits behind her including her debut SA block buster feature Happiness is a Four-Letter- Word; Hakeem Kae-Kazim, the well-known British-Nigerian actor who has gained international acclaim for his performance in the Oscar nominated film Hotel Rwanda. He has countless credits in major international films such as The Triangle with Sam Neill, Pirates of the Caribbean III, X-Men Origins: Wolverine with Hugh Jackman and many more. Nse Ikpe-Etim Nigerian is a multiple award-winning actress who DIFF audiences will remember from her role in the celebrated Meg Rickards’ film Tess.
The documentary film jury includes Uzanenkosi on of the SA’s busiest and most prolific producers, who created InterSEXions the award-winning first of its kind, world over drama series that won an unprecedented 11 SAFTA awards. Nakai Matema, a veteran Zimbabwean Producer who has produced several ground-breaking documentaries including Rehad, Desai’s My Land, My Life and Leo Phiri’s A Fighting Spirit from the STEPS for the Future series. Nigerian filmmaker Mahmood Ali-Balogun who has directed numerous films including multiple award-winning film Tango With Me, and has been on the juries of numerous festivals such as Cairo International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Abuja International Film Festival and African International Film Festival (AFRIFF). Dorothee Wenner is a Berlin-based freelance filmmaker, writer and curator, who has been on the selection committee of Berlin’s International Forum since 1990 and serves as the Berlinale’s Delegate for India and sub-Saharan Africa.
The Shorts Jury includes Alicia Price, Head of the Film Department at SAE Cape Town and Leon Van Der Merwe, a founding member, Chief Operating Officer, board member and director of the Cape Town International Film Market and Festival (CTIFMF).
The Amnesty International Durban jury is convened by its Chair Coral Vinsen with members Professor Margaret Daymond, Lazola Kati , Betty Rawheath and Nelvia Rawheath.
Feature films in competition are Clint (India) directed by Harikumar Ramakrishna Pilla, Farewell Ella Bella (SA) directed by Lwazi Mvusi, The Foolish Bird (Ben Niao) (China) directed by Ji Huang, Otsuka Ryuji, High Fantasy (SA) directed by Jenna Bass, Mayfair (SA), directed by Sara Blecher, The Movie of My Life (O Filme Da Minha Vida) (Brazil) directed by Selton Mello, Pororoca (Romania, France) directed by Constantin Popescu, Rafiki (Kenya, South Africa) directed by Wanuri Kahiu, The Recce (SA) directed by Ferdinand Van Zyl, The Reports on Sarah and Saleem (Palestine, Netherlands, Germany, Mexico) directed by Muayad Muayad, Supa Modo (Germany, Kenya), directed by Likarion Wainaina, The Tale (USA) directed by Jennifer Fox, A Trip To The Moon (Un Viaje A La Luna) (Argentina) directed by Joaquín Cambre.
Documentary films in competition are We could be Heroes (Denmark, Morocco, Tunisa, Brazil) directed by Hind Bensari, Silas (Canada/South Africa/Kenya) directed by Anjali Nayar and Hawa Essuman, Whispering Truth To Power (South Africa/Netherlands) directed by Shameela Seedat, New Moon directed by Philippa Ndisi-Herrmann, Kinshasa Makambo (Democratic Republic Of The Congo/France/Switzerland/Germany/Norway) directed by Dieudo Hamadi, Amal (Egypt/Lebanon/Germany) directed by Mohamed Siam, Spell Reel, (Germany/Portugal/France/Guinea-Bissau) directed by Filipa César, Shakedown (USA) directed by Leilah Weinraub, The Silk and the Flame (Fei’e Pu Huo) (United States) directed by Jordan Schiele, The State Against Nelson Mandela and the Others (France) directed by Nicolas Champeaux and Gilles Porte.
All SA documentaries and features are also eligible for the SA Best Documentary and SA Best Feature awards.
Award categories are Best Feature Film, Best South African Feature Film, Best Documentary, Best SA Documentary, Best Short Film, Best African Short Film, Best South African Short Film, Best Actor Award, Best Actress, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Artistic Bravery, Audience Choice Award, Wavescape Audience Choice Award and the Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award.
The DIFF is organised by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts in partnership with the eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, National Film and Video Foundation, Durban Film Office and other valuable partners.
The Festival also features the Isiphethu industry programme, outreach activities, the Durban FilmMart, a co-production market in partnership with Ethekwini Municipality’s Durban Film Office, Talents Durban, in cooperation with the Berlinale Talent Campus and the Wavescape Surf Film Festival.
For more information visit www.durbanfilmfest.co.za or any one of the DIFF’s social media pages, Durban International Film Festival.