Category: Culture

Johannesburg, South Africa –  In the build-up to the fifth annual Joburg Film Festival, taking place from 31 January – 5 February 2023, the festival, in partnership with Multichoice and the Gauteng Film Commission is excited to announce the start of the JFF Youth and Audience Development programme that will see workshops taking place across Gauteng from October 2022. In line with prioritising growth and development for young upcoming African filmmakers, the JFF Youth and Audience Programme will conduct a series of skills development and empowerment workshops for these creatives. The programme creates strong links between young people and the film, TV and new digital media and content industries and allows participants to discover the powerful impact of collaborative filmmaking. It also gives them various business and career opportunities in the film and tv content value chain whilst providing capacity building opportunities and creating new jobs for youth in and from our communities.  Furthermore, it provides access to meaningful training, mentorship and internship opportunities that will not only focus on the creative side of film and content production, but also on the business of how to monetize their ideas and content. Aimed at youth between the ages of 18 and 35 who are students or young and aspirant film makers from previously disadvantaged communities, the programme workshops cover a myriad of topics including directing, performance, story & conceptualisation, production, editing and animation just to name a few. Registration is now open for the programme that will commence with a 2 day filmmaking workshop, as well as a 2 day acting workshop on 8 & 9 October in Sedibeng, followed by the West Rand on 22 & 23 October, Ekurhuleni on 5 & 6 November, and Tshwane on 26 & 27 November, with the Johannesburg regional session taking place in January 2023.  Participants are required to reside in the township/city hosting the event and have a valid Matric Certificate. Anyone between 18 – 35  is eligible to register to attend for free: https://joburgfilmfestival.co.za/youngvoices     All registered young filmmakers can also participate in the exciting new Young Voices Short Film Competition themed,  “WHAT INSPIRES YOU ABOUT YOUR  TOWNSHIP?”.  Three winners will be selected from across the five regions and will receive  a range of prizes with one selected filmmaker receiving a scholarship and other valuable prizes. Details on how to submit your film and eligibility requirements can be found on the JFF website. 
The workshop details are as follows:

Sedibeng Edition
Dates: 08 – 09 October 2022
Venue: Chris Hani Sports Complex, Orange Farm, Johannesburg, 1841
Time: 10am – 5pm

Westrand Edition
Dates: 22 – 23 October 2022
Venue: Gauteng Archive Centre Kagiso, Krugersdorp, 1754
Time: 10am – 5pm

Ekurhuleni  Edition
Dates: 05 – 06 November 2022
Venue: TBC
Time: 10am – 5pm

The Youth and Audience Programme is as follows:

DAY 1 ·   Acting Workshop·   Story and Conceptualisation Workshop·   Pitching and Proposals Workshop DAY 2·    Acting Workshop II·    Director’s Master Class·    Content Creators Master Classo   Cinematographero   Art Directoro   Music Scoringo   Animationo   Producers Additional information and registration can be done online viahttps://joburgfilmfestival.co.za/youngvoices

For the latest updates about the Joburg Film Festival 2023, check out Website  joburgfilmfestival.co.zaFacebook JoburgFilmFestivalTwitter JoburgFilmFestInstagram joburg_film_festival These are our hashtags: #JoburgFilmFestival #JFF2023

 FESTIVAL CONFIRMS DATES AND VENUES FOR YOUTH & AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

OFFICIAL FESTIVAL TEAM ANNOUNCED

 Johannesburg, South Africa – Following the recent announcement of the return of the Joburg Film Festival in 2023,, the festival’s dynamic new brand has been launched along with the details of the festival’s extensive Youth and Audience Development programme. 

Along with partners Multichoice, The Joburg Film Festival officially launched at  an intimate film industry launch in Johannesburg tonight.

Set to run from Thursday, 31st January 2023 to Sunday, 5th February 2023, the Joburg Film festival will not only screen over 60 feature premieres, but will also include a dynamic range of audience and industry initiatives including the Industry Programme, the Youth and Audience Development Programme, the Film Society Joburg and JBX Content Market initiative.

With its on-going vision to prioritises the growth and development of young South African and African filmmakers, the Youth and Audience Programme will conduct and host a series of skills development and empowerment workshops for budging film creatives.

Now in its fourth year, the outreach programme focuses  mainly on young people in disadvantaged and underdeveloped communities. The two day workshops provide insights into  the filmmaking process and its different disciplines, in addition to the opportunity to network with industry leaders during each workshop. The programme culminates in a series of film screenings for the broader community.

The series of workshops and screening events will take place between October 2022 and January 2023 across Gauteng’s five regions as follows:

·   Sedibeng: 08 – 09 October 2022

·   Westrand: 22 – 23 October 2022

·   Ekurhuleni: 05 – 06 November 2022

·   Tshwane: 26 -27 November 2022

·   Johannesburg: 14 – 15 January 2023

In addition to the programme, attending young filmmakers can participate in the exciting new Young Voices Short Film Competition. Registered attendees will be invited to create short films  around the theme “WHAT INSPIRES YOU ABOUT THE TOWNSHIP?” and to submit for consideration.

Three overall winners will be selected from across the five regions by an esteemed panel of expert judges. The top three selected filmmakers will receive a scholarship and various other prizes.

The Joburg Film Festival once again boasts a well-known and globally respected team that includes Award winning film producer Bongi Selane, who will return as the 2023 Film Festival Director. 

The Festival curation team is made up of Zimbabwean born international renowned Festival Curator Keith Shiri. Shiri  has been programme advisor to the London Film Festival and also served in that position for the Venice Film Festival. He was a member of the Berlinale World Cinema Fund from 2004-2007. Joining him as the Film Festival Programmer is the equally established and known industry expert Jack Chiang.

The Youth and Audience Programme is as follows:
 

DAY 1

·   Acting Workshop

·   Story and Conceptualisation Workshop

·   Pitching and Proposals Workshop

·   Production Accounting Workshop

DAY 2

·   Acting Workshop II

·   Director’s Master Class

·   Content Creators Master Class

o   Cinematographer

o   Art Director

o   Music Scoring

o   Animation

o   Producers

Registration can be done online viahttps://joburgfilmfestival.co.za/youngvoices

Limited tickets will be available for sale from November 2022. 

For the latest updates about the Joburg Film Festival 2023, check out

Website  joburgfilmfestival.co.za

Facebook JoburgFilmFestival

Twitter JoburgFilmFest

Instagram joburg_film_festival

These are our hashtags: #JoburgFilmFestival #JFF2023

African self-published authors face challenges, from limited funds associated with publishing a book to marketing. According to statistics, Africa is home to over 1.2 billion people, yet African self-published authors are still not selling as many books as they should. Why is that?

Firstly, the resources required to build trust with avid book readers is not as easy as it sounds. It requires effective strategies among other things, which is cumbersome for self-published authors who often must juggle more roles than one at once. Secondly, avid readers have options due to the advancement of technology on the continent.

It is not all gloom and bloom; it is still possible for African self-published authors to make a mark on the African continent. Here are six ways to market a book.

1. Social media

Africans are on social media, making it a perfect space to market a book and it is one of the most affordable ways of getting a word out. With great content strategies, one can build a following on social media. 

2. Book clubs

Book clubs have been around for many years. They are still one of the best ways to market a book. 

3. Family members and friend’s network

Family members and friends also know other people who might know other people. Asking them to spread the word about a newly released book or existing one is always useful. 

4. Book launches 

Book stores often host book launches where they invite the media and the stakeholders. Book launches are a great place to network and build connections. 

5. WhatsApp statuses

Believe it or not, most people spend a lot of time on their mobile phones texting. News about newly released books or existing one should feature on WhatsApp statuses. 

6. Enter a competition for self-published authors

The Alkebulan Authors’ Platform is currently running a competition for African self-published authors. Self-published authors stand a chance of winning one million rands – https://youtu.be/6gJyAD-AWg0. 

We are committed to uplifting self-published authors in Africa. We urge all the authors in Africa to enter. The competition is open to authors who are members of the Alkebulan Authors’ Platform. Self-published can register on the website to become members – Ruth Mabona. 

Corona Sunsets Festival introduces three dancefloors to the festival, opening the SA Summer

The much-anticipated line-up for the Corona Sunsets Festival has been announced with a stellar bill of local and international artists set to perform at the iconic South African summer music calendar event at Huddle Park, Johannesburg on October 29^th.

Among these are Major League DJz, who have toured the world over the last year; Zakes Bantwini, Sun-El Musician and Msaki, who have not only had an incredible year of international tours and a slew of hits, but are about to clean up at this year’s SAMAs and; Desiree who has exploded across every global dancefloor this year.

The celebrated Ndlovu Youth Choir will bring their own vocal magic to the festival’s iconic ‘Sunset Moment’.

Closing out the main stage is a debut performance by superstars Jonas Blue & Sam Feldt and their brand-new project, Endless Summer. Other international artists include French-born DJ and Producer, Nico De Andrea, who has been instrumental in bringing the Afro-House sound to the European islands of Mykonos and Ibiza along with collaborations with Black Coffee, Themba and Blondish as well as; UK-based house artist, Kitty Amor, who is part of the celebrated Defected Records and Sondela stable of artists.

For the first time at the Corona Sunsets Festival, this year’s edition will also feature three dancefloors – the Griffin Stage, Crown Stage and the Spiritual Village. The latter will be hosted by DJ Bob’s Jazz Club with a vinyl only lineup of artists playing the very best in Jazz, Acid Jazz, Funk, and Soul to groove to under the sun. The festival will also feature drum circles, Arts and Crafts Food Markets, and much more to enjoy.

Tickets on sale now: corona.howler.co.za.