Highlights from Workshops at The Durban International Film Festival 2014

Notes From Filmmakers Workshops At DIFF 2014

One of the many workshops at DIFF 2014

They had many workshops at the Festival and at Durban Film Mart (DFM) these were some of the highlights:

DFM Masterclass

• 'We are the stories we tell.' 
• 'What makes stories compelling?'
• 'Good stories deal with consequences.' 
• 'A hollywood film made in another country will be of lesser quality.' 
• 'The key element in a film is emotion.' 
• 'Emotion is closely related to conflict.' 
• 'A story begins when there is some elements of conflict.' 
• 'Something unusual must happen.' 
• 'Arthouse cinema does not mean boring.' 
• 'As a writer you can play around with options.' 
• 'You can get more mileage out of suspense as opposed to surprise.' 
• 'How much info are you going to give the audience?' 
• 'Find a sales agent before you go to a film festival, then when you get to the film festival you have a strategy. 

Co-Production - Germany

• If you have a German crew member you have a better chance to get German Co-Production Funding!
• Co-Production is a marriage.
• At a film festival you should network and build relationships and contacts.

Feedback from Provinces - Useful Links

• KZN Film Commission - http://www.kwazulunatalfilm.co.za
• Gauteng Film Commission - http://www.gautengfilm.org.za/
• WESGRO - http://wesgro.co.za/

Notes on Submitting Applications for Funding

• With how much care do you submit your proposal?
• The project description and the treatment are very important when you apply for funding.
• Try send in a trailer if you can.
• If people read your script can they imagine a film or see it as a film?

Useful places to look for funding for your movie or documentary

• IDC - http://www.idc.co.za/our-strategic-business-units/media-and-motion-pictures
• NFVF - http://nfvf.co.za/home/
• IDFA - www.idfa.nl/industry 
• World Cinema Fund - www.berlinale.de 
• Hubert Bals Fund - filmfestivalrotterdam.com/hubertbalsfund

Article and Image by +Fred Felton 

Videovision Entertainment to sponsor distribution prize at Durban FilmMart

Videovision Entertainment returns to the 2014 DFM

In this day and age South Africa is becoming a talented and well esteemed place for up and coming production companies, it is now South Africa’s time to shine.

Videovision Entertainment, South Africa’s premier film and Distribution Company is set to attend the Durban FilmMart, on the 18 – 21 July 2014 at the Elangeni Tsogo Sun Hotel in Durban, to present their esteemed R75 000 distribution prize to the Best South African Film Project.

Videovision Entertainment, headed by well-known producer Anant Singh, is a Durban based company which is celebrating 25 successful years in the film industry. Specializing in a variety of operations, Videovision Entertainment is renowned for their work in South Africa as a leading film and television production distributing to media, live entertainment and film studios.

With each passing year that flies by, the ties strengthen between Videovision Entertainment and DFM; Africa’s leading co-production and finance markets for filmmakers in Africa. This year not only marks the 5^th edition of the DFM, but it also commemorates this loyal four year partnership; “Our association with DFM aligns itself to our company’s vision of providing a platform for the South African film industry both locally and abroad,” says Videovision Entertainment’s Head of Communication and Media Nilesh Singh.

Attending the 2014 Durban FilmMart, is CEO Anant Singh, Director of distribution and acquisition Sanjeev Singh, Financial Manager Robert Naidoo, Head of Communications and Media Nilesh Singh and Editor Sigeshan Reddy.

Each year, Videovision Entertainment sponsor’s a prize known as the “Five Fingers for Marseilles” produced by Sean Drummond and Michael Matthews, who were last year’s recipients of the Videovision Entertainment distribution prize. This award will assist them in ensuring release and distribution throughout South Africa once the ‘Five Fingers’ film is completed early next year. Producer Michael Matthews will use the Videovision Entertainment prize money to develop top notch marketing material, including behind the scenes, featurettes, artwork and online social marketing.

What makes this year’s DFM special, Videovision Entertainment intends to sponsor the same opportunity to a film project with R75 000 worth of distribution assistance. “We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Best South African Film Project. The objective of our sponsorship is to help nurture upcoming filmmakers and support them in having their films distributed in South Africa,” says Nilesh Singh.

“Partnerships are crucial to achieving DFM’s goals and objectives. The Videovision award presents these filmmakers with an incredible opportunity to break into the market place with the backing and support of one of South Africa’s longest running distribution companies. We are truly appreciative of Videovision’s consistent and generous support in promoting African cinema,” says Durban Film Office’s Toni Monty.

For more information on the DFM go to www.durbanfilmmart.co.za, to register for DFM visit the delegate registration desk at the Elangeni Tsogo Sun Hotel  from today until Monday 21 July at 08h00 to 16h00.

Article by +Lauren Immelman