It is lights, camera, action as filmmakers gear up for the ninth annual Eastern Cape Film Festival set to take place in Kariega towards the end of 2024.
Submissions for entries close on November 3, with the festival running for six days from December 1.
Adding to the excitement, the first 100 festivalgoers will receive free entry to the Love Life Centre in Kariega where local, national and international films will be showcased.
The award-winning Eastern Cape Film Festival’s director, Nceba Mqolomba, said the platform had worked actively towards the development and growth of the film industry in the province over the years.
Mqolomba returned to Nelson Mandela Bay 14 years ago from Gauteng.
He said he wanted to introduce the art of filmmaking to the people of Kariega, with the added benefit of job creation for people of all ages.
He said there was already a buzz of excitement in anticipation of this year’s festival.
In less than a year, the Eastern Cape Film Festival has shot 10 films in association with Eastern Cape Film Studios and National Film and Video Funding, with a cash injection of R2.4m.
Eight of the films were shot in Kariega and two in Gqeberha, and Mqolomba said it would be exciting for Nelson Mandela Bay residents to see them on the big screen.
He believes Kariega has the potential to become the film hub of the province.
The various films address societal ills such as gender-based violence and crime, and how criminals are able to change their lives to become upright members of society.
Also benefiting during the shooting of the films, local taxi drivers were used to transport the casts and crew, and local caterers were hired to feed them.
“We are excited, people in Kariega want to show their families the work they have been doing.
“They are excited to be seen on TV.
“Whenever we did takes in the street, people would gather around in interest, and children wanted to act,” Mqolomba said.
He said this year’s festival was another step towards preparing for the platform’s milestone 10-year celebration in 2025.
The movies to be showcased include short and full-length films, student productions, documentaries, animated productions and music videos.
Entries must include a synopsis of the film, a trailer, a profile on the director and producer, and confirmation that the film has been classified by the Film and Publications Board.
Submissions have been coming in from across the country, as well as internationally.
Mqolomba said he had hoped to see more submissions from the Eastern Cape, but understood that resources were still lacking as the province tried to find its footing in the film industry.
“Of the submissions we have already received, there is a South African filmmaker based in America.
“He has submitted one film he shot in SA, and two in America.
“Many of the other submissions have come from places like Kenya and Canada.”
Only the best submissions will be showcased at the festival, with an awards ceremony to be held at its conclusion.
Submissions must be emailed to submissions@ecfilmfestival.co.za.
HeraldLIVE
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