By Sharlene Versfeld
Published June 15, 2009
Celebrating its landmark 30th edition, South Africa’s longest-running film festival, the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), will open with IZULU LAMI/My Secret Sky, directed by Madoda Ncayiyana and shot in Durban. Based on the experiences of the city’s homeless children, it is a heart-rending tale of suffering and redemption, featuring exceptional performance by a group of talented child actors discovered by Ncayiyana and closely nurtured through the filmmaking process.
IZULU LAMI, which has already picked up international awards, is also screening at the 12th Zanzibar International Film Festival in Zanzibar, Tanzania (June 27-July 4, 2009) and at the 4th Lola Kenya Screen in Nairobi, Kenya (August 10-15, 2009). It is a strong contender for the Lola Kenya Screen 2009 Golden Mboni Award as the jury of this annual audiovisual media initiative for children and youth in eastern Africa comprises only people aged 6-18 years and who are most likely to identify with the plight of the protagonists of IZULU LAMI more than adult juries.
IZULU LAMI is co-produced by Durban’s Vuleka Productions and produced by DV8 Films. DV8’s other new film, SHIRLEY ADAMS, directed by Oliver Hermanus, will have its World Premiere at DIFF 2009.
Alongside a strong selection of South African and African films, DIFF 2009 will present a major focus on French Cinema, featuring some of the last year’s finest French films. There will also be special programmes of Palestinian and Indian cinema.
RELATED: Waiting for the 6th Lola Kenya Children’s Screen in Nairobi, Kenya
The Durban International Film Festival takes place from July 23 to August 2, 2009 at cinemas and alternate venues throughout Durban.
Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN), the principal funders of the 30th Durban International Film Festival are the National Film and Video Foundation, Stichting Doen, Hivos, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, German Embassy, Goethe Institute, City of Durban with support from East Coast Radio and other valued sponsors and partners.
