shnit International Shortfilmfestival SA Award Winners 04

shnit Cape Town came to a rousing end Sunday 12 October at The Labia Theatre, where Jury President Gavin Hood presented the Made in South Africa award to Tyron Janse van Vuuren for his confident and stylish character-study, Preparation.

Preparation was also announced as the first ever South African Audience Award winner, making it the first double-winner in shnit Cape Towns history.

The Jury Award winner receives the newly introduced Faun Ring - a ticket into shnits global winners circle - as well as goods to the value of R8000 from Lensbaby and ExposureGallery.co.za. The Audience Award winner receives the Faun Ring, as well as goods to the value of R2000 from Exposure Gallery.

Audience favourite runner ups included true-life boxing pic The Road Warrior, directed by Brian Mitchell Jr, engaging documentary Across the Colour Bar directed by Luscious Dosi and produced by Vuks Ngcingwana and Daniel Zimblers bittersweet tragicomedy Socks & Bonds.

The three Jury Nominees were favourably received by the excited crowd of filmmakers and fans. Aside from Preparation, Socks & Bonds was again a finalist, as was Roger Youngs raw and insightful Keys, Money, Phone.

Juror Terence Neale was on hand to represent an a-list jury also comprised of Jenna Bass and Jahmil XT Qubeka. The jury had remarked on the difficulty of selecting just three nominees to be put forward the Jury President for his final decision. The overriding impression was that they had seen really engaging work by compelling Filmmakers one should be on the look out for. If this is what Mzansi has to offer then the future is bright.

Gavin Hood made a surprise personal appearance to present the award for Best South African Film, as well as deliver a short impromptu speech that left the audience inspired and enthused. He stressed the importance of time and attention to detail, as well as the value of short films as a platform to experiment, to find a voice, and to make mistakes. Theres only one thing harder than making your first feature film... he noted light-heartedly, making your second feature film if your first bombs.

REAL TIME COMPETITION

The night also saw the World Premieres of two Real Time films 2014. Three home grown filmmakers, drawn from the city's most exciting young talent, are invited to take part each year, each tasked with producing a 5 minute short film over the course of the festival week, in partnership with some of Cape Town's premiere industry facilities.

All three films are filmed with the same equipment and each has just one day to film, one day to edit, and one day for sound design and mix, visual effects and colouring.

Kyle Lewis, Kofi Zwana and Jolynn Minnaar competed in friendly fashion this year, working from the inspiration point Home - the Sarah Baartman story'. Sadly, for reasons beyond both his and the festivals control, Zwana was not able to complete his film, meaning that just two films made it all the way into competition.

Both Lewis hauntingly beautiful Archit3ct and Minnaars quirky but deeply touching Valma Veronica had the audiences rapt attention. The voting was extremely close, but it was Minnaar who came out on top, calling up her films star, Basil Twine, to receive the award with her.

The Real Time winner receives goods to the value of R1500, courtesy of Lensbaby and Exposure Gallery.co.za.

SHNIT 2014

With the shnit clearing, the overwhelming response has been that shnit 2014 has been the best so far, with a number of sellout screenings and hugely positive responses to both the local and international shorts on show.

Thanks to the extremely hard-working team of volunteers, as well as to all the filmmakers and crowds who came out to support! Particular thanks to all the filmmakers who traveled to Cape Town from other parts of the country.

The festival is possible only through the support of our key venues The Labia Theatre and Pulp Cinema, our partners, collaborators and undoubtably our funders, notably the National Film and Video Foundation and the Cape Film Commission.

Festival Managers Sean Drummond and Alasdair McCulloch travel to New York October 15th to represent South Africa and the South African independent industry at shnits Global Awards event. We wish them a shnit-hot time.

www.shnit.org

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