DIFF TOP JURY

Award Night at the Durban International Film Festival on July 28 will honour a selection of films that stand out as exemplary works of cinema.

With actress and television presenter Jailoshini Naidoo as MC the awards are announced at the Supernova, Suncoast Cinema, on July 28 immediately prior to the Closing Film, which is the much anticipated South African animation Adventures in Zambezia. The festival, (with principal funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund) will conclude its 12 day film-feast with a final day of screenings across Durban on July 29.

The celebration of filmic excellence will see prizes being awarded by this year’s International Jury to fiction feature films for the following categories: Best Feature Film (R50,000); Best First Feature Film (R20,000); Best Direction; Best Cinematography; Best Screenplay; Best Actor; Best Actress.

The International Jury comprises Zimbabwean filmmaker, novelist, playwright and activist Tsitsi Dangarembga; Oliver Hermanus - director of the award winning Shirley Adams and Skoonheid; writer, broadcaster and producer Kgomotso Matsunyane, and Peter Wintonick - Eyesteelfilm‘s international producer.

This year’s Competition Features include the South African productions Elelwani; Fynbos; Gog’ Helen, and Sleeper’s Wake – all made in 2012.

The Best South African Feature Film Award (carrying a prize of R30,000) is open to all 16 South African fiction features that are part of the official selection in DIFF, and will be adjudicated by Junaid Ahmed (director and producer, Fineline Productions), Peter Machen (journalist and film critic) and Madoda Ncayiyana (director and producer, Vuleka Productions).

Best Documentary and Best South African Documentary will be adjudicated by Lindiwe Dovey (director of the Film Afrika festival and academic at SOAS, University of London), Rosie Motene (television presenter, actress) and Robbie Thorpe (director and producer, Rififi Pictures).

Best Short Film and Best South African Short Film will be adjudicated by Tiny Mungwe (filmmaker, project co-ordinator, Durban FilmMart), Darren Murray (Producer, Collective Film and Video), and Zandile Tembe (radio journalist, Ukhozi FM).

Carrying a cash prize of 2,500 euro, the Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award, organized in conjunction with Amnesty International Durban and the Movies that Matter project of Amnesty International, will be presented to the film that is most reflective of human rights issues. The jury for this prize comprises Hylton Alcock (producer, Catch a Fire Production), Anita Khana (producer, Uhuru Productions), Nonhlanhla Mkhize (director, Durban Gay and Lesbian Centre), Lindy Stiebel (Head, School of English, University of KwaZulu-Natal), Coral Vinsen (Amnesty International Durban).

Three further awards are voted for by members of the public: Audience Choice Best Feature Film, Audience Choice Best Documentary, and Audience Choice Best Wavescape Film.

For more details regarding the film festival programme, visit www.durbanfilmfest.co.za