By Awande Mabizela and Minenhle Zikhali
The international film initiative has extended an invitation to filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers in Durban to participate in its 2024 film competition.
The call was made by the Durban Film Office, in collaboration with the Visual Network South Africa and Creative Arts College at the 48 Hour Film Project media launch at the Durban Film Office in Musgrave, Durban, on 12 September.
The initiative aims to enhance the Durban film industry and showcase local talent globally.
Surekha Soni, the director of cinematography at Media King, who was a programme director at the launch, said that the project aims to challenge filmmakers to produce a film within two days.
She added that: “The 48 Hour Film Project runs in over 148 cities and it challenges filmmakers to create a seven-minute masterpiece in just two days, with only a character, a prop, a line of dialogue and two genres to choose from. Filmmakers, whether amateurs or pros, team up for a shot at international fame. Winning films could be screened at the Cannes Film Festival (2025), but before that they’ll compete globally at Filmapalooza 2024. Locally, selected films will air at Suncoast Casino, with 25 local awards up for grabs.”
Nerusha Maharaj Sadapal, the city producer for the Durban Film Office, said that this year’s festival will feature more tha 100 teams. “The 27 September is known as our kick-off event. That is the weekend where the teams that are participating will meet us either online or in person and that is where we will give them the genre.
“Each team gets two genres and the last thing we will announce will be the character, the line of dialogue and the prop. All shooting will take place on that weekend. It is an impromptu competition, so that is going to be the weekend you will be making your film and submitting it.”
The Durban Film Office project manager, Fezile Peko, outlined the office’s role at the 48 Hour Film Project. “As the Durban Film Office, we are responsible for assisting filmmakers with permits to shoot in public areas in Durban. We facilitate shooting on private property. Furthermore, we get the Metro Police to clear roads and redirect traffic for them.”
The Umlazi Film Festival co-founder and director, Michael Ngema, said he hopes there will be sufficient support throughout the competition to overcome financial barriers and achieve their dreams.
“With regard to the 48 Hour Film Project, we hope to see artists and creatives from Umlazi make it on the international stage. If the government cannot fund all of us, at least it should provide us with facilities such as editing suites, where we can produce our films cost-efficiently,” he said.
Luyanda Zwane, an actress, model and influencer, said: “From the perspective of a child who grew up in a home with black parents, sometimes it’s hard to express our passions, especially if they are not in line with the vision our parents have for us, but I encourage the youth to follow their hearts.”
She encouraged the youth to invest in their craft. “Most of you guys who are applying for acting and modelling agencies don’t get replies because of pictures that are not professional and your emails are not structured correctly. This is how we all got into the industry (by adhering to professional protocol). There are no connections, (but) just going through the proper channels.”
Athandiwe Ngcobo, the Creative Arts College project co-ordinator, stated that the college’s role is to sponsor bursaries for participants. “There (are) criteria involved for the selection of the recipient of the bursary. We choose the best films in different categories and we sponsor the 48 Hour Film Project (for) students who also participate in the project,” she said.
Two viewers’ choice films from the 2023 48 Hour Film Festival were screened at the end of the event.
