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 communities and disadvantaged groups
Prizes
Jury Prize (Golden Lion Award) – $2,000
Director’s Choice Award – $1,000
Inkhanyeti (Silver Star) Award for Best Student Film – $500
