A programme of special events and filmmaker engagements are augmenting the European Film Festival which kicked off its 2020 edition on November 12 with free online screenings of new European films.
To enrich the viewer experience, a number of pre-recorded Q&A sessions with the directors will be available immediately after the screening of certain films. In addition, a series of live online discussions will keep the conversations flowing during the festival footprint. “We live in a new world of COVID protocols so the pre-recorded interviews and online engagements are a good way to maintain the connection to the filmmakers, hear about the filmmaking processes, and discuss topical issues,” explains Magdalene Reddy, co-director of the festival.
The festival film The 8th focuses on the campaign to repeal the 8th amendment which criminalised abortion in Ireland. Expanding on the issue of reproductive rights in South Africa is a webinar entitled Making the Right to Choice a Reality taking place on Thursday November 19, 2020, and featuring leaders of the Irish campaign in discussion with local specialists.
On Friday November 20 is the discussion Filming Unspoken Histories – Sylvia Vollenhoven in conversation with Lucas Belvaux. Here the director of Home Front discusses the making of his film with a focus on the uncovering of toxic or buried histories and its impact on societies and individuals.
Community Centre and school programmes
There will also be a regulated programme of
physical events at selected community centres and schools where screenings of
the films I am Greta and Sweat will be followed by mediated
discussions on the film topics of climate action and social media.
Participating community centres include Isivivana Centre in Khayalitsha, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Youth Activism programme, and Windybrow Arts Centre in Johannesburg, Wushwini Arts Centre and the Wilderness Leadership School in Durban. The Climate Action programme at Isivivana Centre will also include three short films and discussion with local ocean activists, Loyiso Dunga, Faine Loubser and Mogamet Shamier, whose work highlights the wonders of the Cape ocean and the Great African Sea Forest.
For more information visit the Special Events page on www.eurofilmfest.co.za or click on the advert to the right of this article
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