Filmmaking Youth Take Action
The University of Jozi in conjunction with the Gauteng Film Commission will be hosting an international film festival to coincide with Youth Day this year. It’s a Mexico/SA collaboration and they’ll be flying about 7 of Mexico’s most inspiring filmmakers to SA and teaming them up with SA filmmakers. The awesome FYTA film festival is taking place at UJ on the 13 – 16 June, offering free workshops, showcase opportunities and a South Africa-Mexico exploratory and expressive film platform, young film makers, get amongst!
FYTA FILMS: Through imagery and sensation language and ethnicity become blurred, making film an awe-inspiring transformer of society. Read more below.The first ever FYTA Film Festival (Filmmaking Youth Taking Action) launches in June 2008. Inspired by the need to fight against young minds being numbed by stereotypes, conventions and trashy entertainment, this festival aims to reignite the passion in young filmmakers. It aims to encourage them to speak their minds and join the movement realizing that while escapism is great, when it outweighs and white-washes all reason it becomes dangerous. FYTA Films also enables young filmmakers to tell their own stories.
There are voices outside of Hollywood and FYTA is there to help uncover them amongst the true free spirits of society- the youth! This year we join forces with Mexican filmmakers to explore the common ground between our countries- in film, in history and in daily life.
The Festival:
Entrance to all screenings and workshops is free. FYTA Films in 2008 is presented by the University of Johannesburg in association with the Gauteng Film Commission, Embassy of Mexico in SA and Nedbank. It will be held from 13 – 16 June at the University of Johannesburg’s FADA Building on Bunting Rd Auckland Park. The Festival consists of three main categories:
1. Mexican-South African Film Showcase:
FYTA Films will screen several African premières. In addition, filmmakers from both countries will be in attendance at screenings for discussions and workshops.
Guests:
Some of the well-known Mexican guests include Elena Fortes Acosta, director of the Ambulante documentary festival run by Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, Flavio Florencio, creator of the Africala festival which highlights the ancient connection between Africa and Latin America and the African roots present in South America.
Other guests include Alejandro Ripstein; son of veteran filmmaker Arturo Ripstein, Francisco Vargas whose magnificent film El Violin has won over 30 awards at film festivals around the world, Elisa Miller, winner of a Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival last year and animator Ricardo Arnaiz winner of a Mexican Academy award for The Legend of Nahuala.
Workshops and colloquia
With so many interesting visitors to FYTA, it is the ideal opportunity to provide young filmmakers with guidance and support in the form of exciting workshops.
These include:
• Animation workshop hosted by Parlotones video director Claudio Pavan.
• Plenary discussion surrounding the concept of “3rd Cinema”
•“Taking Film to the People” – workshop on grassroots filmmaking and storytelling.
• A Documentary Roundtable
• Music Video competition allowing the winning director to choose from 5 bands and direct their next music video.
Other events
In addition to structured events, young filmmakers will be encouraged to mingle and view each others’ work in the Benign Bunker, an ideal opportunity for networking.
3. Young Filmmakers Showcase
Emerging filmmakers, film students and anyone else with a story on film is invited to submit their work for exhibition at FYTA Films 2008. On June 16, FYTA Films will dedicate a screening venue to the work of young directors from both SA and Mexico.
