The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission (KZNFC) is all set participate at the Cannes Film Festival, taking place in France from 17 May to the 27 May at the Pavilion Afriques, a platform which creates a unique venue for movie and trade promotion while outlining the diversity of African cinema.
In accordance with its mandate of developing and growing the KZN film industry, the KZNFC will be aiming to promote local content, maintain and build relationships with key industry players through business to business meetings, identify opportunities for the sale and distribution of content, as well as participate in industry panels. The KZN Film Commission issued an open call to the industry inviting emerging filmmakers to form part of KZNFC delegation.
Written and directed by Bonita Sithebe, The Valley of a Thousand Hills tells a story of a young woman from a conservative village, who must choose between living a lie to stay the perfect Zulu daughter or risk death for true love. Nosipho has a secret. A loving daughter held up as an example in her community, with a domineering father who has chosen a potential husband for her, but her soul mate and one true love is a woman. The film is produced by Philane Sithebe and stars Mandisa Vilakazi and Sbongokuhle Nkosi.
God’s Work produced by rising star Sithabile Mkhize tells a story of four homeless friends who are caught between escaping their hardships and being swallowed up in the process. The film is a profound and satirical exploration of the human beings that exist on the margins of society. Written and directed by Michael James, God’s Work is produced by Sithabile Mkhize with Toni Monty as the executive producer.
Jackie Motsepe, KZN Film Commission’s Chief Operations Officer said: “As per our strategic goals of empowering the youth and woman in the industry in the telling of their stories, Sithebe and Mkhize’s projects stood out, and we are confident that they will achieve the objectives they have set in attending the festival.”
