With the opening cinema of the 12th annual Ugu International Film Festival (UGUIFF) having already been unveiled, the 12th edition of the festival will cast the spotlight on a range of local and international films to be screened at various venues in and around the South Coast from October 17 to 19.
Earmarked for the duration of the three-day festival is a stunning selection of films, workshops and masterclasses facilitated and hosted by some of the country’s and the world’s leading actors, directors, producers and other film practitioners.
Festival founder and CEO of Zindela Pictures, Senzo Zindela, following the unveiling of this year’s line-up of films, workshops and masterclasses, indicated that this year’s event will be an eventful one.
Zindela, who has made it his mission to establish UGUIFF to be the leader in KZN-inspired filmmaking, said there are several factors that have made him commit to unearthing, exposing and investing in making local and regional film markets a global phenomenon.
“I have made it my life’s mission to establish and initiate businesses and endeavours that capacitate local communities while having a global breakthrough impact. There are several factors which motivated me to embark on this selfless mission, some of them are negative while some are positive factors and perceptions, written in most foreign books where they state that Africans are followers, programmed to be employees, and are not strategic thinkers,” he said.
The action-packed Indy film, “The Foggy Mountain”, which was confirmed as this year’s opening film starring Vietnamese actor Peter Pham.
It tells the story of Phi - a retired martial artist - longing for a peaceful life with a beautiful wife, who after she is attacked, vows to revenge the attack and hunts the perpetrator across Vietnam-right into the heart of the brutal criminal enterprise that has single-handedly terrorised the entire region for years.
Over the years since the first edition of the festival 12 years ago, the well-travelled festival founder has had an opportunity to study the best practices in the global film industry.
Among those earmarked for the workshops and masterclasses on subjects such as art action, performance is talented actor Pallance Dladla, Sthembiso Mtshali, who will facilitate the masterclass on music scoring and composition, while celebrated TV and news anchor Masechaba Ndlovu will be on hand to host the Film Business and Funding Opportunities discussion.
Award-winning actor, Luthuli Dlamini, will facilitate the Acting for Big Screen workshop, while Peter Pham will take on the Art of Action Directing workshops, among many others.
Zindela said this is what makes UGUIFF more than just a film festival, but an authentic platform where emerging filmmakers have a chance to interact and network with some of their mentors, role models and peers.
“At UGUIFF, we believe that emerging and experienced filmmakers deserve equal rights and opportunities to showcase their talents. Therefore, this film festival is initiated as a platform to give young filmmakers from KZN and other parts of the country and continent opportunities to showcase their films to a global audience, while promoting their works to established and well-travelled filmmakers and markets,” he said.
Other films to look out for during the course of the three-day festival include, “Indida Yothando”, “My Father’s Shadow”, “Safe Bet”, “Colourful Crime” and many others.
The Star