Film & Cinematography News South Africa

Calling budding Durban scriptwriters

Mzansi Magic is collaborating with the Durban Film Office (DFO) in calling for project submissions of low-budget feature films, from KwaZulu-Natal, to be developed into 60-90 minute films. It will consider commissioning 10 projects for development, based on the calibre of projects submitted to its offices by 4pm on 15 July 2011.

The DFO is the film industry development arm of the City of Durban, operating under the auspices of Economic Development Unit of eThekwini Municipality. "The DFO has prioritised the development of emerging filmmakers with programmes such as the Producers Lab, which is an incubation programme for film sector SMMES in partnership with the SmartXchange Technology and Innovation Hub," says Toni Monty, acting CEO of the DFO. "Facilitating this callout is a continuation of our efforts to develop young filmmakers in Durban."

"Selected project candidates will have the opportunity to hone their scriptwriting skills by participating in script development workshops, to increase their chances of having their project made into a feature movie. The workshops will be facilitated by Yizo, Yizo 1 and 2 co-creator and writer and 'Jerusalema' associate producer Mtutuzeli Matshoba," says Mzansi Magic's channel manager Lebone Maema and commissioning editor Nirvana Singh.

Submissions must contain a title page, showing story title, author's name, id and contact details and a synopsis of one to three pages. Complete screenplays will be an advantage. Submission can be emailed to az.oc.tenm@hgniS.anavriN and az.oc.tenm@abebaM.isioloM or mailed to Magic Centre Reception, 137 Bram Fischer Ave, Randburg, 2194.

For more information, email Musonda Chimba at the DFO az.vog.nabrud@mabmihc.

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