AFDA
lecturer and filmmaker, Janet van Eeden, and AFDA first year student, Matthew
Couperthwaite, received awards for Best Cinematographer and Best Editor
respectively for their films A Shot at
the Big Time and Lucky Legs at
the second Annual eThekwini Filmmakers Association Awards held at the Durban
Manor last month.
A Shot at the Big
Time
is a film inspired by the true story of Janet van Eeden's brother, Jimmy. He
died after just three days on the Border in mysterious circumstances. The film
was nominated in three categories: Best Short Film (directed by Stephen de
Villers), Best Cinematography (Luke Pallett) and Scriptwriting & Production
(Janet van Eeden). The film scooped the Best Cinematography Award, which was
handed to van Eeden by the Durban Film Office’s Toni Monty and eThekwini
Filmmakers Association Chairperson, Andile Buwa.
“This
film is very close to me as it is about my brother who walked a different path
from the mainstream and lived his life according to what he believed,” said van
Eeden on receiving the award. “This is the first film I’ve produced and to win
this award is a huge honour.”
Student
director Matthew Couperthwaite’s Lucky
Legs received the award for Best Editor with editing by Temara Prem, and
was also nominated in the categories Best Editor and Best Student Film. The
film follows the lives of two homeless characters Bergie and Skolli whose
differences end up being the toast of their success in making money in an oddly
peculiar and embarrassing manner. Commenting on the award, Couperthwaite said:
“As a first year student at AFDA it was a true honour to be nominated alongside
some of the top Film Makers in Durban (some of whom are my lecturers!) and I am
so happy for the amazing Temara Prem, she really deserves the accolades.”
Keynote
speaker at the event representing the City, Deputy Mayor Cllr Nomvuzo
Tshabalala emphasised that the City was extremely proud of the crop of
filmmakers and the work they presented during a three day local film market
held at the Workshop Shopping Centre in November 2013.
Toni
Monty emphasized that plans were in place to grow the industry within Durban
and bring back Durban talent from Gauteng. “The blueprint that is the eThekwini
Filmmakers Association has been highly appreciated by local government.”
For
more information about the Durban AFDA campus or enrolment contact milenag@afda.co.za
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