Xenophobia film nominated for top African awards

Rand happened in 2008 when the country experienced xenophobic violence.
Director Akin Omotoso, who has also been nominated for Best Director, was thrilled when he spoke to Sowetan on Monday.
“This is great, real great. It’s not rocket science. Our stories are beginning to penetrate and this story is an African story about Africans killing other Africans. The nomination is just great,” Omotoso said.
The film has also been nominated for Best Film, Best Actor (Hakeem Kae-Kazeem), Best Supporting Actor (Fana Mokoena ), Best Editing, Best Cinematography and Best Sound. Other nominated films include “How to Steal 2 Million”, which has been nominated for 11 awards, “Otelo Burning”, “Dear Mandela” and “State of Violence”. Local actor Rapulana Seiphemo has been nominated for Best Actor in a supporting role while Terry Phetoe, best known for her role in “Tsotsi”, was nominated for Best Actress in a supporting role.
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), which funded the films, said in a statement: “The NFVF is very proud of all the South African films.”
NFVF production and development executive, Thandeka Zwana added: “We would like to congratulate all the South African nominees. Our biggest cheers go to the NFVF-funded films, ‘Otelo Burning’, ‘State of Violence’ and ‘How to Steal 2 Million’.”
The awards ceremony will be held in The Gambian capital Banjul next month. — Sowetan.