FILMMAKERS JET OFF TO TORONTO IN HIGH SPIRIT

FILMMAKERS JET OFF TO TORONTO IN HIGH SPIRIT

South African filmmakers departing for Canada tomorrow to attend the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) are upbeat about the opportunity of marketing their projects to the international market. The trip of the 20 filmmakers is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) who’s Deputy Minister, Mr Mzwandile Masina will also be in attendance. The festival takes place from 10-20 September 2015.

Mr John Wani, a Pretoria-based filmmaker says he is travelling to Toronto in order to negotiate with possible co-production partners, sales agents and international distributors for the movie that he is currently working on titledSunnyside. The film is about the world’s most wanted Mexican drug lord who is on the run from international police agencies and settles in Pretoria.  He escapes to Nigeria where he joins Boko Haram when the South African police try to track him down.

 “I am already in discussion with an international film director from Canada with the aim of turning Sunnyside into a film that can sell globally. I am optimistic that my trip to Toronto will be a success,” says Wani.

North West filmmaker, Mr Kea Malao is optimistic that his participation in the festival will enable him to accomplish his mission of finding an international distributor for his latest movie, Dimpho.

“I am travelling to Toronto with the main aim of finding a distributor who will take Dimpho to international markets. The festival provides us with a good opportunity to meet with film distributors from various parts of the world and showcase our productions to them. I’m optimistic that the film will attract the attention of international audiences,” says Malao.

Budding Mdantsane filmmaker, Ms Nokulunga Jimana-Mntwapi also expressed optimism that she will accomplish her major mission of travelling to Canada. In her handbag there will be a work-in-progress script and a trailer of her first movie that she is currently working on titled Ndon’e bani’phi? (who have I wronged where?). She will be pitching the movie, which tells the story of a girl who is a product of incest, to potential international film buyers.

“I am confident that the story will capture the attention of some international buyers who can then invest in the film, or other filmmakers who can bring their expertise, creativity and funds that can enable us to work together and co-produce the film,” says Jimana-Mntwapi.

 Western Cape filmmaker, Mr Faghrie Salie says his main aim of travelling to Toronto is to find an international film buyer for his company’s documentary, Inside. The 52-minute documentary chronicles the devastating impact of gangsterism and drugs in the Western Cape.