Johannesburg to host film festival

The first festival on the yearly South African film festival calendar, Jozi Film Festival is a new annual event that showcases the latest films made by Johannesburg and Gauteng filmmakers as well as provides a space for filmmakers, local or international, to tell stories about Jozi and its inhabitants.

This year the South African première of "Man On Ground", a film by Akin Omotoso, will be opening the festival at The Bioscope Independent Cinema at Main Street Life, Fox St on Friday, 10 February. Films will also be shown in the unusual venue of the Kensington Club, Ivanhoe Street, Kensington which will also host the final film of the festival, "Semi-Soet," the new Afrikaans romantic comedy on 12 February. The screening will be followed by the JFF Awards Ceremony, presented by John Vlismas and Nthati Moshesh.

Never a dull moment in Johannesburg

With no intention of becoming the Cannes of Southern Africa, Jozi Film Festival rather aims to reflect the energetic and creative vibe of the city and the continent and wants to encourage Johannesburgers to see their city as a fantastic place to meet new people, experience something uniquely Jozi and leave with a sense that they live in an incredible metropolis where there is truly never a dull moment. In keeping with this idea, admission is a very low R20 and some screenings will be free. JFF hopes to grow the satellite festival in 2013 and reach many more Gautengers across the province as time goes on.

The festival will also provide opportunities for new-comers and industry professionals to network. Jozi Film Festival also offers provocative Q&A sessions with the film-makers in attendance as well as a number of workshops. Within the festival is also a Short Fiction Festival (The Bioscope, Saturday, 11 February at 4:00pm) and a Student Festival (The Bioscope, Saturday, 11 February at 8:30pm).

Unlimited music licenses for winners

Competition categories include Best Feature Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Fiction Short, Best Student Film, and an Audience Choice Award. Winner of Best Feature Film will receive a one-year unlimited music license from Final Mix Online while Best Documentary Film and Best Fiction Short will each receive an unlimited music license for a single production. Recipient of the Audience Choice Award will win the chance to kick back and enjoy an all-expenses paid dinner for six at Johannesburg's trendy Darkie Café.

Wits School of Arts Film and TV Division is partnering with the festival and will provide technical support, promote the festival to their students, students from other universities as well as host a series of seminars between screenings.

Go to www.jozifilmfestival.co.za for more information.