The Durban Short Film Challenge is an annual event that takes place during the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) and is aimed at creating a platform for emerging filmmakers to participate in an independent film project with their peers. The competition also seeks to achieve the overall objective of creating awareness of local filmmaking and audience development for independent local film. Durban Short Film Challenge is open to entry-level filmmakers, recent graduates and students that are doing film related courses and a total of 12 entries were selected to actually participate in the competition. The 12 short films were then screened at the Durban Short Film Challenge special event that took place during DIFF where a winning short film was selected by a panel of judges.
The winning film, Bosso ke Mang, is about an infertile man who asks his herd boy to make a baby with his wife. The herd boy then sees the request as an opportunity to take over the man’s household. Shandu said it took him two weeks to do and complete the film from scratch in terms of putting together a script, crew and cast members as well as the shoot.
"It wasn't easy but working on this short film showed me I can actually make a movie if I put my mind to it and that inspires me. I’d like to thank the NFVF, the Durban Film Office and everyone who was involved in organising the Durban Short Film Challenge which is a great competition for up and coming filmmakers. I have already started using my Apple Mac laptop for writing the script for my first feature film which is about HIV/Aids and teenagers in rural areas. Furthermore I look forward to participating in the Sediba Spark Scriptwriting Programme and hope that it will help me understand more about scriptwriting," says Shandu.
"As NFVF we were very happy to be part of the Durban Short Film Challenge as a competition that supports emerging filmmakers which also gives us an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with independent filmmakers. The prize for this year's winner also includes an opportunity to participate in the Sediba Spark Scriptwriting Programme which further shows our commitment to empower talent that we are able to recognize in such platforms to ensure that there is sustainability," says Clarence Hamilton NFVF Head of Production and Development.
For more information on Sediba Spark Scriptwriting prorgamme email Pretty Mthiyane on prettym@nfvf.co.za or call 011 483 0880.
