New African Film Fest in Scotland
Oct04

New African Film Fest in Scotland

So we hope you got your entries in ‘coz African film is taking over Scotland in late October! Africa in Motion NEW AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE THE DIVERSE TALENTS OF THE VERY BEST IN AFRICAN FILMMAKING FROM ACROSS THE CONTINENT ! Africa in Motion (AiM) African Film Festival Friday 20th-Sunday 29th October 2006 Filmhouse… Cinema, Edinburgh Feature films, documentaries, shorts and a ‘Lost Classics’ series – Screenings of 25 films from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Egypt, Chad, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and other African countries Despite the depth and breadth of filmmaking on the African continent, African cinema remains one of the most underrepresented cinemas worldwide. Opportunities to see African films in Britain are very rare, yet some of the most evocative and imaginatively original films have been created on the African continent since the 1950s. Now AiM will offer audiences in Scotland the chance to view some of the best and most hard-to-find of African films. The extensive programme includes some of the most significant African classics, unearths a number of “lost classics”, as well as showcases contemporary groundbreaking films. “Africa in Motion is, quite simply, one of the best programmes of films ever to be shown in Scotland” – film critic Mark Cousins, Sept 06. African Classics will form a central focus of Africa in Motion 2006, including a number of ‘lost classics’. The Lost Classics programme will feature films from the early work of pioneering African filmmakers – for some of these films there is only one print still in existence and original English subtitles have been created especially for the screenings at AiM. Many of the films featuring at AiM have never been seen in Scotland, or indeed the UK before, and the festival will be unprecedented in its scope and diversity. Directors whose work will be featured include veteran Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembene, widely regarded as the “father of African cinema”; Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine, who received a lifetime achievement award at Cannes in 1997; Senegalese filmmaker Safe Faye, the first sub-Saharan African women to direct a feature-length film, Kaddu Beykat in 1975 (which will be screened at AiM); and Malian director Souleymane Cissý, who won the Prix du Jury at Cannes in 1987 for his stunning film Yeelen, AiM’s opening film. Drawing on the prevalence of Africa and African issues highlighted in the last year, following events such as the G8 Summit at Gleneagles, AiM gives Scottish audiences unprecedented access to artistic representations of the complexities and diversities of African life through the eyes of Africa’s best directors. Film screenings are accompanied by a range of free complementary events including panel discussions,...

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Splashy Fen Call for Entries for 2007 Festival
Oct03

Splashy Fen Call for Entries for 2007 Festival

Yes, it’s that time again. Now entering its 18th year, the Splashy Fen Music Festival has become something of a legend, not only in KwaZulu-Natal but all over South Africa. Musicians, get entering – it’s an awesome weekend and well worth the trip. Each year more and more music lovers travel from far and wide to be part of the Splashy Fen experience. Held on a farm some 18km from Underberg, in… the scenic Southern Drakensberg, the festival offers city dwellers a chance to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the mountains. What began as a small get together for a group of friends has developed into one of the major showcase events for South African music, with over 70 live music performances appearing this year. The festival organisers firmly believe in the enhancement and enrichment of South African music of all cultural origins, and their unique relationship with the music industry countrywide ensures participation by a wide range of SA talent. Visit the official website Splashy Fen and on the left hand side menu click – artist submissions – you will find all the necessary info that you need to submit. Closing date for submissions is Friday 15 December...

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Golden Lion Film Festival in Swaziland
Oct03

Golden Lion Film Festival in Swaziland

Who would have thought that short filmmakers from all over the world would gather so quietly in the mountain kingdom… Even though Represent has such tight ties to Swaziland, even we had no idea about the Golden Lion Film festival. Until a good friend of ours had her film accepted and started getting all excited about Swazi Royalt… y watching her work. You go girl – wish we could be there. You know a trip to SD could be really good for the end of year soul – maybe we should reconsider. So guys, now you know about it, get your entries in for next year! The Golden Lion Film Festival Africa’s Premier Showcase for Short Cinema October 14 – 28, 2006 The Kingdom of Swaziland will be the primary location for the 2006 Golden Lion Film Festival, featuring the best of the world’s short film and video dramas, animation, documentaries, musicals and comedies. The festival in this its second year expands into South Africa and Mozambique, where special screenings will be held. Prior to the 2005 Inaugural Event, we were told that a first time, small festival like ours would be judged a success if we obtained 50 entries. The filmmakers of the world responded, from 43 nations on six continents. The festival received over 200 entries, making the Golden Lion Film Festival the foremost exhibitor of short films Africa. Filmmakers are invited to explore Swaziland, where African culture and tradition thrive in a beautiful mountainous setting. Mlilwane Game Reserve is only 15 minutes from two of the festival’s principal venues. Our South Africa venue, Casterbridge Cinema, is located in White River, the gateway to Kruger National Park, Africa’s oldest game reserve. 2006 Festival Venues Swaziland: House on Fire Entertainment Complex (Malkerns, Swaziland) Mbabane Theatre Club (Mbabane, Swaziland) Waterford Kamhlaba College (Mbabane, Swaziland) U.S. Cultural Centre (Mbabane, Swaziland) Mozambique: Venue in Maputo to be announced South Africa: Casterbridge Cinema, White River (near Kruger National Park) Mission: The Golden Lion Film Festival presents the latest accomplishments in short films and videos from Europe, North America, Africa and elsewhere in the world. All genres of shorts subjects are presented. The aim of the festival is to overcome the limitations of commercial film distribution in the region, which is largely restricted to mainstream action adventure and special effects films, and to introduce innovative filmmakers to a new audience and the excitement of today’s Africa. Beyond the festival itself, this organisation is dedicated to the advancement of film scholarship and cinema appreciation throughout Southern Africa. The educational and cultural programmes of the festival will continue throughout the year, bringing film to rural...

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URBAN VOICES FESTIVAL – a three city affair!
Jul06

URBAN VOICES FESTIVAL – a three city affair!

Awesome musicians, wonderful wordsmiths, free workshops and it’s being held in Joburg, Cape Town and Durban – this years URBAN VOICES festival is bigger and better than ever! Go go go! Urban Voices once again brings you an exciting Festival programme for 2006. Running from the 28th July until the 5th August 2006, the Festival celebrates its sixth anniversary with a range of conc… erts and free educational workshops. The Festival takes place in Jo’burg, Durban and Cape Town. Urban Voices – International Poetry Festival in 2006 features a star-studded line-up of internationally acclaimed poets from the USA – Saul Williams, Lemon, Suheir Hammad and Sekou Sundiata, as well as a diverse range of established and emerging home-grown poets including Afurakan, Maakomele Manaka, poet and actor Warona Seane, and several young poets from across Durban, Jo’burg and Cape Town. Urban Voices International Poetry Festival Joburg Bassline, Newtown Sat. 29th July 8.00pm! Sharp! Durban Bat Centre Sun. 30th July 7.00pm! Sharp! Cape Town Baxter Theatre Thurs. 3rd Aug 8.15pm! Sharp! International Music Afro/Latin Connection – Celebrating National Women’s Day Urban Voices celebrates National Women’s day with a special double bill featuring two great African performers: Busi Mhlongo from South Africa and Lura from the Cape Verde, West Africa. This Afro/Latin concert will offer you the finest rhythms and voices our Continent has to offer. Not to be missed! One night only! Jo’burg only! Venue: Bassline, Newtown Cultural Precinct Date: Saturday 5th August 2006 Time: 8.00pm Poetry Workshop Info All workshops are free of charge. The Workshop component of the Festival has become increasingly popular and gives artists and fans an opportunity to discuss their craft. To attend and be assured a place at the workshops, please email office@artsexchange.co.za, and specify which workshop in which city, as well as date and time to confirm a place. Joburg – Friday 28th July @ 3pm sharp! At Bassline, Newtown Durban: Monday 31st July @ 3pm Sharp! At the Bat Centre Cape Town: Tuesday 1st August @ 2.30pm Sharp! At Baxter Theatre, Rondebosch Email for more info. Click here for...

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