Shnit International Short film festival returns to Cape Town

Now in its eleventh global year, and its fourth in the Mother City, Shnit International Short film festival continues its growth from strength to strength. One festival held simultaneously in eight cities, 2013 sees Kyoto, Bangkok and New York join existing hosts Cape Town, Bern, Cairo, Buenos Aires and San Jose in a truly global celebration of the art of the short film.

With a record 6700 entries from 141 countries, Shnit is now truly one of the worlds highest profile short film festivals and this years 200-plus film programme is one of its most diverse and impressive festival line-ups, anywhere! The center piece is the Shnit-OPEN international competition, in which 64 films compete for the coveted Flaming Faun trophy in five categories and prize money totaling over R1 million. Fiction, documentary, animation and more - all genres are represented. Shnits only criteria: that a film is contemporary, cutting edge and stand-out in terms of quality.

As always, local focus is key to Cape Towns festival and the best in South African shorts take center-stage every night. Shnit stretches local content to capacity in 2013, with a record number of entries and a record number of screenings. The MADE IN SOUTH AFRICA award category has grown to 21 films over 3 programme blocks and our crowd-favorite local showcase KAAPSE BOBOTIE is bigger than ever, with a further 19 films to ensure that Shnit in Cape Town has a truly local flavor. Local filmmakers in attendance each night are invited to provide insight into their work, allowing for engagement on a deeper level.

Shnits 2013 jury continues the high standards of previous years. Awarding the South African category are Helen Kuun of premiere local distributor Indigenous Films, National Film and Video development executive Neiloe Khunyeli and Trigger fish Animations Anthony Silverston, director of award-winning Zambezia and the upcoming Khumba, starring Liam Neeson and Steve Buscemi. Representing South Africa on the international jury are Peter Machen, manager of the Durban International Film Festival, and acclaimed actress Moshidi Motshegwa (Drum, Endgame, Jozi). Shnits high-profile international jury president is soon to be announced.

Shnit 2013 opens in glitzy style Wed 2 October and screens 5 days at The Labia Theatre on Orange St in Cape Town and at Pulp Cinema Stellenbosch, with additional screenings at Stellenboschs 5 Ryneveld, presented by Cinemuse, and fringe screenings at City Varsity, Kloof St, Cape Town. City Varsity screenings are free to students from any film institution on presentation of a valid student ID.

Sunday 6 October sees Shnit sign off for another year with a closing awards ceremony at the Labia, also featuring the premiere of Shnits 3rd annual Real Time competition films, completed within 72 hours over the course of the festival by three up and coming local filmmakers, sponsored by top local facilities.

Shnit is made possible by the generous support of the National Film and Video Foundation and the Cape Film Commision, as well as our venue, industry, media and service partners. With its steadily growing reputation for the finest short film fare, Shnit has made its mark as a festival not to be missed, and established Cape Town as a force to be reckoned with on the global short film scene. By now its clear, THE FUTURE IS SHNIT.

All shows in 100min programme blocks. Tickets available directly from venues. All shows R30 unless otherwise advertised. The Official Festival Guide, to be distributed city-wide in late September. Please click here for more information

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