Toronto offers rewarding platform to SA filmmakers

A movie about South Africa's greatest icon, Nelson Mandela, has left its mark on this year's Toronto International Film Festival. But while Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom may have been the most high-profile of South Africa's interests at the 10-day event, it was not the only one. by Nadia Neophytou

The 10-day event wrapped up this weekend, after showing more than 300 feature films from all over the world. Ahead of its release in November, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom premiered at the festival, to a rapturous standing ovation, with talk of actor Idris Elba in line to earn an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Madiba.

The film is based on the beloved statesman's autobiography.

Several of the South African cast members were in Toronto to take part in the red carpet premiere and celebrate the movie's debut.

The film, although directed by British film maker Justin Chadwick and having two British actors as its lead stars, was funded by and made in South Africa.

Producer Anant Singh says he is thrilled to be finally releasing the movie in American and European countries, after securing distribution through the Weinstein Company (North America) and Path International (Europe).

The movie has taken 16 years to bring to fruition, after Mr Singh won the rights and received Mr Mandela's blessing to make it. He first contacted Madiba when he was still in prison on Robben Island.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation sent through a message of support that was read out at the premiere, which was also attended by students from the Nelson Mandela Park Public School in Toronto.

But beyond the excitement of Long Walk to Freedom, South Africa's, and indeed Africa's, presence at the festival has increased since last year.

Of Good Report, which was initially banned in South Africa ahead of its debut at the Durban Film festival, was shown in Toronto, as was iNumber Number, from Spud director Donovan Marsh, starring Tsotsi's Presley Chweneyagae and Class Act winner Sdumo Mtshali.

Animated feature Khumba, which has the voice talents of Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne and Liam Neeson, continues to gain momentum as it screens at festivals all over the world, showcasing South Africa's growing animation capabilities.

There is even talk from one Hollywood publication that it could secure a best animated feature film nomination at the Oscars.

But aside from Toronto International Film Festival being known as the place where awards buzz is generated, the event provides an avenue for local film makers to interact with a global audience.

Of Good Report director Jahmil XT Qubeka believes it is important for South Africans to be part of the festival, because it is a more hospitable environment than many of the other festivals.

There's been a lot of criticism that government focuses too much on the Cannes Film Festival and making sure their representatives are at the market there, but this festival, along with the Berlin Film Festival and one or two others, have had a tradition of supporting our line-ups more. It's an exciting platform for young people like myself to represent ourselves here.

Cannes is known for being difficult for film makers to get onto its official selection, but it can be done, as South African directors Oliver Schmitz and Oliver Hermanus have shown in recent years.

Still, other local film makers agree with Mr Qubeka that a stronger presence in Toronto should be encouraged.

Vincent Moloi, who made a short film called Berea that showed at the festival, agrees: The North American market is notoriously difficult to crack, and a festival like this embraces stories from Africa.

The way they treat films from the continent is the same way they would treat other films from Asia, or South America. They don't put them in a corner, and are done with them, they help showcase (them).

Indeed, Africa as whole has been given a boost in recent years at the Toronto festival.

Artistic director of the festival Cameron Bailey says they have a programmer who travels to the continent regularly to seek out films and look for stories from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Senegal.

There's a continuity from Planet Africa, a programme we began a few years back that generated an audience hungry for new work from African film makers, and now we're seeing a new generation fill this, he says.

A mixed-bag programme of short films called African Metropolis screened during the festival as part of this continuation.

Gaining an audience's insight adds another value to being at the festival, which attracts film lovers from around the world.

It's a diverse, eclectic crowd, says Mr Qubeka.

I leave the business aspect of being here up to my producer, and I look to engage cinema-goers.

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