With over 250 films, Durban film festival kicks off

As South Africa was still in the euphoria of having produced the top award winner with a low budget drama, Ulanga (The Mark) at the just held, Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) Tanzania, the country of Nelson Mandela comes into focus again on the African film terrain.

Few days ago, one of Africa’s oldest film forum, the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), which opened few days ago continues till July 29, 2012. Awards of the 33 rd DIFF, according to the organisers, will be announced at the Supernova, Suncoast Cinema, Durban 24 hours ahead of the closing ceremony.

A Scene from Ulanga (The Mark)

Mainly funded from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, DIFF 2012, which screens “over over 250 films from around the world features awards in categories such as Best Feature Film (Prize of R50 000) and Best First Feature Film (R20 000). Also on the list are Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress. 

  The International Jury are:

Tsitsi Dangarembga - Zimbabwean filmmaker, novelist, playwright and activist; Oliver Hermanus - director of Shirley Adams Kgomotso Matsunyane,  writer, broadcaster and producer;

Peter Wintonick, Eyesteelfilm‘s international producer, director.

 At the 15th ZIFF, Zanzibar, South African filmmaker Ndaba Ka Ngwane’s The Mark picked four awards: Golden Dhow Award, the Ousman Sembene Award, the Verona Award, and the Signis International Award.

  Tanzanians too won in such categories as Best East African film ‘Zamora’ and Richard Msahana, Best Tanzanian Actor, among others.