Durban Film Office s Zero Budget Filmmaking Workshop ends 0 on a high note

The free monthly workshops, a project undertaken by the Durban Film Office during 2013, is geared towards providing budding filmmakers with practical skills to further the development of the local film industry and meet the growing market demand of low or zero-budget films.

Instead of being wholly reliant on the film industry to provide career advancements, the workshops have equipped emerging filmmakers with expertise that will help them become proactive and self-sufficient, said Durban Film Office Head Toni Monty.

Filmmakers who have attend the workshops, facilitated by co-owners of local production company Durban Motion Pictures; Philani and Boni Sithebe, have been taught the significance of being independent, innovative and ambitious, said Monty.

It is integral for the advancement and sustainability of any industry not to provide hand-outs but hand-ups, said Monty. Filmmakers who gathered for the final Zero Budget Filmmaking Workshop of the year, which took place on 07 December 2013 during the recent KZN African Film Festival in KwaMashu, were encouraged to put their zero or low budget filmmaking skills into practice by creating a short zero or low budget film.

Award-winning producer Bonie Sithebe said that filmmakers were given a challenge to produce a five minute feature film based on the genre of comedy. We were proud to witness the immense effort, creativity and originality that have gone into the film submissions as well as the eagerness and enthusiasm of attendees at workshops throughout 2013, said Sithebe.

The winner of the five minute film award went to Sthembiso Mhlongo for his film offering Things we do for love which with the guidance of Durban Motion Pictures, will be created into a full-length feature film. Mhlongo, who is an aspiring actor and filmmaker in Durban, has recently been cast in a small acting role in SA's popular soapie Generations.

The two runners-up Smanga Cibane and Happiness Mpase for film projects Iphara and Pastor alcoholic respectively, will both receive internships at Durban Motion Pictures, said Sithebe. We hope to nuture and develop their raw talent and put them in good stead of becoming accomplished and profitable filmmakers.

Sithebe said that 2014 round of Zero Budget Filmmaking Workshops, which will now partner with the eThekwini Filmmakers Association, would continue to fill the void of grooming underprivileged and aspiring filmmakers in becoming self-made entrepreneurs. Said Sithebe; If 2013 was anything to go by, then we have a very promising future ahead of us.

LINK:	http://nfvf.co.za/article/durban-film-office-s-zero-budget-filmmaking-...
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