NFVF launches film industry stakeholder dialogue, In Conversation With...

In Conversation With... is a series of film industry stakeholder interaction sessions. The main objective of the project is to bring film industry stakeholders together with the purpose of sharing insights and expertise on issues relating to film industry.

Facilitated by Clarence Hamilton NFVF's head of Production and Development, and attended by industry delegates including filmmakers and film commissions' representatives, the session's first guest was Junaid Ahmed from Fineline Productions. After being in the industry for a period of 20 years with main focus on documentaries, Junaid's big break came when he was approached by Video Vision's Anant Singh to direct the feature length docu-drama, More Than Just a Game. The film tells the dramatic and little-known story of organised soccer played among prisoners on Robben Island, Cape Town.

During the session, Junaid informed the guests that his motivation comes from telling stories through the eyes of ordinary people, and that with More Than Just a Game he wanted "to change the face of Africa and how it is perceived globally."

Having attended international markets and festivals including the Cannes International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, No Borders and Strategic partners, Junaid acquired a wealth of experience while interacting with international experts. The NFVF's Sediba Advanced Financial Producers Programme was also beneficial in enhancing his skills.

Junaid informed the audience about available funding opportunities at international film festivals; however he cautioned that “local filmmakers need to know how to promote their projects at these platforms.” He urged local filmmakers to develop proper pitching skills for their film ideas. "Pitching your film idea is a one-time opportunity to impress and to capture interest for your project. The key thing is to get the right message across to potential investors and plant the seed for subsequently closing a financial deal. One thing I have realized is that there is funding out there, however local producers need to know how to tap-in to those opportunities."

Junaid also informed attending filmmakers that anything is possible in this industry only if they are able to generate new ideas and develop different ways of telling their stories. Using In Conversation With... as an example, he encouraged producers to attend as many film panel discussions as possible because "that's where you will get to learn about latest developments and trends in the film industry."

Clarence Hamilton emphasised that the purpose of the project is to ensure that the whole film industry benefits from the exposure and knowledge that is gained by local filmmakers when they attend the international film festivals. "We realized that there is a need to ensure that visits to these international platforms benefit more people than only individual producers who get the chance to go and attend. Instead of filmmakers just writing reports to the NFVF about such trips, we think it will be broadly beneficial if they share the gained knowledge and insight with the whole industry."

A series of other In Conversation With... sessions are scheduled to continue from early next year. The sessions will be extended to the other regions, as well during local and international festivals, awareness campaigns and other stakeholder information sharing sessions.

For further information email Communications & Public Affairs Manager Naomi Mokhele or Communications & Public Affairs Coordinator Khulekani Shandu