Online Reporter
The KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority participated in the prestigious Joburg International Film Festival in Gauteng where they promoted KZN as a premier filming destination.
The Joburg Film Festival continues to be a beacon of creativity and collaboration, bringing together filmmakers from across the country and the world.
Regarding the festival’s impact, Jackie Motsepe ,the Chief Operations Officer for the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority shared insights into the excitement surrounding the event.
“The experience has been incredible. The energy is palpable, and it’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm from participants who are eager to learn and grow.”
As an international festival, the event has drawn contributions from Nollywood, Canada, and Hollywood, alongside strong representation from South Africa. “It’s been amazing to have such a diverse mix of industry veterans and new talent. Our panel featured representatives from the Toronto International Film Festival and Hollywood Shorts Film Festival, ensuring a truly global exchange of ideas while also focusing on local storytelling,” said Motsepe.
The Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards, now in their 12th year, continue to recognize and reward excellence in South African filmmaking. The call for entries recently opened, and the response has been overwhelming.
“Last year, we saw an incredible jump in entries, from just over 100 to over 300 submissions. This shows the growth of the industry and the increasing number of filmmakers making their mark.”
A rigorous, three-month judging process ensures that the awards maintain high standards.
“Winning a Sabela is a major accomplishment. Each submission goes through at least three panels of expert judges before being shortlisted and awarded. It’s a thorough and fair process that ensures true excellence is recognized.”
The awards are scheduled to take place in July, aligning with the Durban International Film Festival. “This allows for greater exposure, as filmmakers from across the country and the world will be in attendance.”
The 2025 edition of the awards embraces the theme, ‘Africa’s Champions of Storytelling – From Piers to Pages.’ This theme highlights the importance of African narratives in the global film landscape.
“We are African storytellers, and we take pride in showcasing our stories to the world. Our pan-African category allows filmmakers from across the continent to participate, further strengthening the unity of African cinema.”— iolnews
