The Documentary Filmmakers Association (DFA) with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry (the DTI), is sending a team of 19 documentary filmmakers to the 2013 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), which runs from 20 November to 1 December.
Molatelo Mainetje (A Helping Hand) is one of the emerging documentary filmmakers making her debut at IDFA. She says: “Being selected as part of the South African delegation to this year’s IDFA is a life-changing experience."
Adds Mariza Matshaya, a local documentary director: “I believe international festivals such as IDFA opens doors 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.”
Some of the South African films expected to screen at IDFA are "The Devil’s Lair" (Riaan Hendricks and Neil Brandt,) "An Inconsolable Memory" (Aryan Kaganof,) "A Letter to Nelson Mandela" (Khalo Matabane,) "I, Afrikaner" (Joanna Higgs and Annalet Steenkamp) and "Voices of El Alto" (Benjamin and Jussi Oroza.)
The festival also features Docs for Sale which has since its establishment in 1996 developed into one of the world’s premiere markets for documentary cinema. Every year more than 250 television buyers, sales agents, distributors and festival programmers convene at IDFA to watch a selection of the latest and best documentaries available to the international market.
Some of the South African films also submitted for this year’s Docs for Sale are "I, Afrikaner" (Joanna Higgs and Annalet Steenkamp,) "Baisikeli" (James Walsh,) "A Helping Hand" ( Molatelo Mainetje,) "Fatherland" (Tarryn Crosssman,) and "Boys Don’t Cry" (Teboho Pietersen.)
