Emerging documentary filmmakers make their debut at one of the world s documentary film festivals

Following the successful mission to HotDocs 2013 in Canada under DTis Group Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS) and the support from the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), where the South African delegation had the opportunity to market their films at one of the worlds biggest documentary film festivals, IDFA becomes the next obvious destination of choice as one of the industry's best meeting places for everything documentary.

At IDFA, not only are some of the best films from the world over screened, but the festival also hosts a pitching forum, conference and opportunities to meet with film financiers, television commissioning editors, distributors and sales agents. IDFA takes place in November each year in The Netherlands, and this years installment runs from 20 November till 1 December 2013.

One small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind

Molatelo Mainetje is one of the emerging documentary filmmakers making their debut at any international film festival. Ive known about IDFA when I was still a film student. Being selected as part of the South African delegation to this year's IDFA, is a life-changing experience.

I would like to thank the DFA, and a big thank you to the DTi and the NFVF for making this dream a reality, says Molatelo Mainetje, documentary producer and director. While documentary film making is still in its infancy in South Africa as compared to the first world countries, its initiatives like these that give the local industry players; new entrants and veterans alike, the confidence to raise the bar in their work. I believe international festivals such as IDFA opens doors that would not ordinarily be available for our content, to a much wider audience. Taking for instance a project like Marikana: A Tale Of Invisible Women to international broadcasters, sales agents and co-production partners creates the opportunity to share authentic South African stories with universal appeal, says Mariza Matshaya, documentary director.

South African documentary genre given a boost

The team will raise the South African flag high with some of the award winning films selected to screen at the festival, and will also give some of the films' producers and /or directors the opportunity to share their experiences with the world. Some of the films expected to screen at the mega documentary festival are, The Devils Liar by Riaan Hendricks and Neil Brandt, An Inconsolable Memory by Aryan Kaganof, A Letter to Nelson Mandela by Khalo Matabane, I, Afrikaner (Ek, Afrikaner) by Joanna Higgs and Voices of El Alto by Benjamin and Jussi Oroza.

The festival also features the efficient Docs for Sale which since its establishment in 1996, has grown into one of the worlds premiere markets for documentary cinema. Every year, more than 250 TV buyers, sales agents, distributors and festival programmers convene in Amsterdam to watch a selection of the very latest and best documentaries available to the international market.

Some of the films submitted at this years Docs for Sale are Joanna Higgs and Annalet Steenkamps personal journey in I, Afrikaner (Ek, Afrikaner), James Walshs Baisikeli, Molatelo Mainetjes A Helping Hand, Tarryn Crosssmans Fatherland, and Teboho Pietersens Boys Dont Cry.

The DFA hopes that through this initiative, South Africa's documentary film making industry will mature to be on par with the best in the world. It is through nurturing new talent and supporting those who are already established in the industry, that the documentary genre can grow to compete on the global market. As DFA, were delighted to see the local documentary genre receiving such international accolades. These are the fruits of the hard work behind the scenes and seeing our films flying the South African flag high at such events as IDFA, its music to our ears, says Teboho Pietersen, DFA Chairperson.

DTIs Group Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS)

Through DTis Group Export Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS), the department helps emerging documentary filmmakers promote their films at some of the worlds top documentary events. The group scheme is predominantly for emerging filmmakers. Preference is given to previously disadvantaged applicants, especially those who have never attended an international film market before.

For more information on the DFA, click here or tel. +2783 901 2000 / fax. +2786 241 4101.

LINK:	http://nfvf.co.za/article/emerging-documentary-filmmakers-make-their-d...
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