ISIPHETHU ISIZULU SCRIPTWRITING WORKSHOP

 

Participants Announced for the isiPhethu IsiZulu Scriptwriting Workshop

The Durban International Film Festival, presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, is proud to present the isiPhethu Scriptwriting workshop, which will take place during the 44th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) - July 20 to 30, 2023.

The workshop is a unique, 10-day programme aimed at developing the skills of aspiring scriptwriters. The selection committee has invited 15 participants to take part in the opportunity, to hone their craft and scriptwriting ability for film.

Led by Dr Edmund Mhlongo, who will be joined by various guest speakers, these classes will cover a wide range of topics, including character development, story structure and formatting a script.

The selected participants are from KwaZulu-Natal:

Belinda Mbhele, Hawukile Mnguni, Kwanele Nyembe, Londiwe Meyiwa, Lufanele Ngcobo, Lungile Dlamini, Mandla Ndlovu, Mondile Ndaba, Ncebo Bhengu, Nkosinathi Gumede, Nthabeleng Khokhotho, Samukele, Khumalo Dludla, Thembakalilahlwa Thango, Zamani Ntiyane and Zizile Petronella Ngcobo.

Sakhile Gumede, isiPhethu Project Manager, explains the motivation behind this programme: “In line with the language policy of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, we want to ensure that the language and culture of our province is preserved. By writing scripts in our native tongue, we create a sense of pride and identity among the people of KwaZulu-Natal. It also encourages us to tell our stories and share our culture with the world.”

The workshop has been running for over a decade and many of the alumni have made strides in their careers. Among them are Fezeka Mkhabela, writer, producer, and documentary filmmaker who founded her own production company in 2021. This year, she has been selected to represent South Africa as an emerging filmmaker at the Pan African Film & Television Festival of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. 

The 44th Durban International Film Festival, presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, is presented with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, the Durban Film Office, The National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Avalon Group.

NB: To link direct to the Centre for Creative Arts, click on the advert to the right of this article.