No South African films have made the official list for the Cannes Film Festival, which opened yesterday and runs until May 22, but that does not mean the country will not be represented there.
The National Film and Video Foundation will host its own pavilion at the prestigious event, showing four films as part of the market screenings.
These are the Solomon Mahlangu biopic Kalushi, family drama Free State, starring model Nicola Breytenbach and Leleti Khumalo, and two romantic comedies – Mrs Right Guy and Happiness is a Four Letter Word.
After each of the main films, South African short films including Hamba Kahle, Scribblings, Into Us and Ours, Konneksies, Umva and Precious Gift will be shown.
NFVF spokesman Peter Kwele said although no local films were officially selected by the festival, they would screen these films “as a service for producers to assist them in getting international sales”.
“Cannes is an important platform for South Africa as it is the premier festival that recognises emerging voices.
“Setting ourselves on such an important stage allows us to continually up our standards and ensure that our content is appreciated for the value it provides.
“It is also an important stage for promoting South Africa as a filming location and being visible is crucial to growing the industry,” said Kwele.
Other shows to be aired during the festival include The Beast by Samantha Nell, Gallo Rojo by Zamo Mkhwanazi, Paraya by Sheetal Magan and Lokoza by Zee Ntuli — all produced in collaborations between four South African directors and four international directors.
Two South African Film and Television Awards feature film category winners – Fulu Moguvhani, who scooped best actress for her role in Ayanda, and Rhythm City’s Mduduzi Mabaso, who won best actor for his role in For Love and Broken Bones – will attend the festival.
“This is a great opportunity and I plan to use it as a learning experience, to network and watch other films that aren’t accessible in our market,” Moguvhani said.
Strong SA presence at Cannes Film Festival
The National Film and Video Foundation will host its own pavilion at the prestigious event, showing four films as part of the market screenings.
These are the Solomon Mahlangu biopic Kalushi, family drama Free State, starring model Nicola Breytenbach and Leleti Khumalo, and two romantic comedies – Mrs Right Guy and Happiness is a Four Letter Word.
After each of the main films, South African short films including Hamba Kahle, Scribblings, Into Us and Ours, Konneksies, Umva and Precious Gift will be shown.
NFVF spokesman Peter Kwele said although no local films were officially selected by the festival, they would screen these films “as a service for producers to assist them in getting international sales”.
“Cannes is an important platform for South Africa as it is the premier festival that recognises emerging voices.
“Setting ourselves on such an important stage allows us to continually up our standards and ensure that our content is appreciated for the value it provides.
“It is also an important stage for promoting South Africa as a filming location and being visible is crucial to growing the industry,” said Kwele.
Other shows to be aired during the festival include The Beast by Samantha Nell, Gallo Rojo by Zamo Mkhwanazi, Paraya by Sheetal Magan and Lokoza by Zee Ntuli — all produced in collaborations between four South African directors and four international directors.
Two South African Film and Television Awards feature film category winners – Fulu Moguvhani, who scooped best actress for her role in Ayanda, and Rhythm City’s Mduduzi Mabaso, who won best actor for his role in For Love and Broken Bones – will attend the festival.
“This is a great opportunity and I plan to use it as a learning experience, to network and watch other films that aren’t accessible in our market,” Moguvhani said.
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