In a
resolute move to address the role of women in film, the Durban International
Film Festival and the Durban FilmMart (DFM), this year presents an in-depth
programme that addresses the inequalities, challenges and successes that women
face within the film industry, specifically in South Africa and on the
continent.
Calling
for an inclusive dialogue on the role of women, the eThekwini Municipality’s
film industry arm - the Durban Film Office, the Durban International Film
Festival, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the lobby and advocacy
organization Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT), and international
partner CaribbeanTales Media Group, are all providing input into the Women Led Film - Disrupting the Status Quo programme
within this year’s DFM which takes place from July 14 to17 in Durban.
Despite
major leaps for female equity across many industries, the film industry,
especially behind the camera, is still very much male-dominated, and as such,
requires quantum shifts to ensure that women begin playing a more equitable
role going forward,” says Toni Monty, of the Durban Film Office speaking on
behalf of the DFM. “The objective of our women-focused programme is to bring a
variety of voices together to discuss and unpack these challenges and to find
useful and tangible ways to make the change needed and desired.”
“The
programme will present a number of workshops, roundtables and panel discussions
with leading women in film.
In a
world of vast gender inequalities, it is inevitable to reflect at such bitter
reality, and more importantly start working towards their redress: which starts
with creation of platforms. The Women Led Film Focus becomes one of the many
attempts in securing platforms to acknowledge, deliberate, and celebrate woman
excellence in the film milieu.” David wa Maahlamela, Director of UKZN’s Centre
for Creative Arts, hosts of the Durban International Film Festival.
Sara
Blecher, well-known South African film-maker and co-founder of SWIFT (Sisters
Working in Film & Television) which aims to nurture and redress the
inequalities faced by women in the South African audiovisual industry, echoes
these sentiments: “As the women’s struggle in film begins to finally garner the
attention it needs around the world, we need to look to achieving some concrete
results. We have to really start looking at the local film landscape and our
status within this. The focus on women at DFM, will help shine the spotlight
both on the representation of women on the screen, but also more importantly on
the women behind the screen.”
Parallel
to the DFM focus, the DIFF will be highlighting films made by and about women
within its screening programme. Festival Manager, Chipo Zhou says, “The
festival has this year taken considered strides to ensure that the inclusivity
of participation by women is measurable across the board from selection, jury
and facilitator panels throughout the different facets of our event. The
quality of film submissions by women this year demands that a space is created
to ensure the momentum in the quantity of projects by women is not only
maintained but augmented. This is a conscious move towards making this a
permanent feature of the festival as our contribution towards the redress that
is urgently required within the film industry.”
The NFVF
has been working within this space for some time, and will be presenting the
successes of their Female FilmMaker Project at the DFM.
“The
decision to focus on women for the NFVF is a deliberate one. The objective is
to break down the barriers to entry faced by women in the industry, especially
black women who are the most marginalized. If the industry is to grow, thrive
and become sustainable then all South Africans need equal opportunity to
participate and contribute. Programmes focused on women will continue to be
prioritized and we are encouraged and proud of the success witnessed by the
previous female project funding recipient”, said Zama Mkosi CEO of the National
Film and Video Foundation
The
Durban FilmMart runs from July 14 to 17, during the Durban International Film
Festival. Delegate registration is now open. For more information or to
register go to www.durbanfilmmart.com
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