Shield and Spear documentary screening in Johannesburg

From the 26th of February to the 11th of March 2015, the Bioscope Independent Cinema will be screening Shield and Spear, Directed by Petter Ringbom. 

Following the aftermath of the painting of President Jacob Zuma, Shield and Spear explores a constellation of stories about identity, art, music and freedom of expression in Post Apartheid South Africa. 

Synopsis: 

An artist paints a caricature of South African president Jacob Zuma that provokes a lawsuit, death threats and a massive street protest. Around this incident, Shield and Spear explores a constellation of stories about identity, art, race, and freedom of expression in South Africa, twenty years into democracy.

Featuring artists such Brett Murray, BLK JKS, Zanele Muholi, Gazelle, The Brother Moves On, Yolanda Fyrus, Fokofpolisiekar and the Smarteez, commentary also offered by journalists and editors Ferial Haffajee, Iman Rappetti, Charl Blignaut, Lloyd Gedyre and Milisuthando Bongela.

For the Bioscope's website as well as the ticket booking link for the film click here. 

SPOTLIGHT Competition Winners

Congratulations to Johann Nortje who won a SPOTLIGHT Series marketing and branding package valued at R20 000-00 which includes an artist’s website, printed catalogue, radio feature, podcast, audio visual content production and a publicity campaign. 

Sally Rumball, Rika Herbst and Asanda Kupa were also random draw winners and each won a 2 hour “Artist’s Career Coaching” session with Art Source South Africa consultant Les Cohn.

"Thank you to Les for the most interesting and very inspiring session."- Rika Herbst

Click here and like our Facebook page for more Art Source news, updates and specials.

The World Outside Your Studio

Les Cohn, Art Source South Africa Director, Career Coach and Project Management Consultant was recently asked by The South African Art Times what advice she would give to young artists and graduates entering the art market. This is what she had to say:

"In my experience many artists manage their careers in an ‘ad hoc’ manner. Then several years later they find they have not progressed nor achieved their objectives. What I advise artists to do is to define their aims and draft a strategic plan for their career, exactly as a business would. A plan which outlines their short, medium and long term goals and how they plan to achieve them in a sustainable and realistic manner. With a plan an artist is able to evaluate opportunities as they may arise and it provides them with a focus to their careers. Lastly, the most important advice I can offer, is to be professional in all their dealings so that they may earn respect!".


For more information on Artists’ Career Coaching please click here.

MINISTER MUTHAMBI’S “TAKEOVER” OF SABC

It is with great concern that SASFED and its associated organisations have been following the encroachment of government into our public broadcaster.

The most recent adjustments to the MOI by the minister are not only an affront to fundamental broadcasting principles, but also erode whatever trust the production industry has still had in the independence of what should be the people’s broadcaster.

As the “controlling body” of the public broadcaster, the SABC board and upper management have a duty toward the public to inform and entertain in an unbiased manner and to support the local film industry in producing the programming to do so. Instead, the public broadcaster has now become a government mouthpiece, bowed under political censorship in news and programming.

This is not acceptable to the film industry and we would like to formally place our strongest objection on record.

It is also unacceptable for the minister to propose amendments to policy and the broadcasting act without extensive public and industry consultation, and SASFED would like to lodge a formal objection to this as well.

As such, SASFED is officially supporting SOS’s (Support Public Broadcasting Coalition) court action.

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For more information and opinions about the court case go to:

News24

Times Live

TV with Thinus

WGSA MUSE Award nominees announced 2014/15

The Writers’ Guild of South Africa (WGSA) and M-Net take great pleasure in announcing the nominees for the WGSA Muse Awards 2014/15, set for late April 2015. At the event, performance writers in film, television, radio, stage and new media industries will gather to recognise and celebrate the integral role played by their peers in the South African entertainment industry.

On this, the second annual WGSA Muse Awards, WGSA is elated to have M-Net as a headline sponsor for the prestigious competition and glamorous awards ceremony, which honours the best local performance writers in the industry.

M-Net Corporate Affairs Director, Kershnee Govender, commented on M-Net’s support of the event: “For the past 29 years, M-Net has remained a proud sponsor of local arts and culture initiatives. This event confirms our belief in the very important and often undervalued role which writers in various disciplines play in South Africa. These writers bring the many diverse stories of our multi-faceted society to life, in so doing enriching the lives and cultural fabric of all who come into contact with their work.”

“A substantial number of entries were received for the WGSA Muse Awards, and we would like to thank all the writers who submitted their scripts for consideration. The judging benchmark for this year has been set high, and entries have now been evaluated by the first round judges,” said Harriet Meier, the chairperson of WGSA.

“The top three scripts reaching or surpassing the standard set by the minimum judging criteria will make up the nominees. These screenplays will proceed to the next phase, where the winners will be selected by a new set of judges, which include big name international writers, agents and Writers’ Guild representatives from around the world.”

The nominees for the WGSA Muse Awards 2014/15 are (in no specific order):

Animation:
1) Tracy Eccles: Wheelin’

Documentary:
1) David Forbes:  The Cradock Four
2) Meg Richards:  1994:  The Bloody Miracle
3) Peter Goldsmid:  Dance Up From The Street

TV Comedy / Sitcom:
1) Fidel Namisi: Call Centre
2) Joshua Rous: By the Numbers

TV Drama:
1) Amor Tredoux:  Danz! Episode 6
2) Marina Bekker:  Thola Episode 1
3) Shirley Johnston: Traffic:  Episode 25

TV Drama:
1) Amor Tredoux:  Danz! Episode 6
2) Marina Bekker:  Thola Episode 1
3) Shirley Johnston: Traffic:  Episode 25

Stage Play:
1)  Janet van Eeden: A Matter of Time
2) Janet van Eeden: In-Gene-Uity
3) Janet van Eeden: The Savage Sisters

Spec Script:
1) Fidel Namisi:  Bring Back Lost Lover
2) Hanneke Schutte: Meerkat Moonship
3) Zamo Mkhwanazi: The Good Doctor

No nominations were made for Radio Plays, and the over 100 Feature Film entries received were all for unproduced screenplays. As such, it was decided by the organisers to dedicate the Spec Script in Any Genre category this year solely to Feature Films, and to include unproduced work in other genres in their own genre categories.

Judges from all industry sectors, who participated in this extensive first round:

Animation
Albert Du Plessis, Julie Hall , Yolanda Lindeque-Strauss

Documentary
Carolyn Carew, Veronica Stewart, Vlokkie Gordon

TV Comedy/Sitcom
Harriet Meier, Nim Geva, Theoline Maphutha, Tracey-Lee Dearham, Yolanda Lindeque-Strauss

TV Drama
Anna-Marie Janse van Vuuren, Dorette Nel, Eubulus Timothy, Harriet Meier, Jacqui Achilleas, Saskia Schiel, Theoline Maphutha

Spec Script:  Feature Film
Adze Ugah, Amor Tredoux, Anneke Villet, Dan Jawitz, Dorette Nel, Elsa van Schalkwyk, Harriet Meier, Jan Engelen, John Hill, Joy Sapieka, Marc Nekaitar, Matthew Kalil, Quanita Adams, Robert De Mezieres, Sam Phillips, Thandi Brewer, Victor Molele, Yolanda Mogatusi

Radio Play
Harriet Meier, Lelia Etsebeth, Veronica Stewart

Stage Play
Karen Jeynes, Paulette Reynecke, Sam Phillips

The WGSA gratefully acknowledges the hard work of the judges and wish all the nominees the best.

THE INDEPENDENT MZANSI SHORT FILM FESTIVAL - CALL FOR ENTRIES

The second annual IMSFF is taking place from 2 - 5 July 2015, and short films will be screened over a four-day period at the Atterbury Theatre in the Lynnwood Bridge Complex, Pretoria (just off the N1). We’ll screen up to 30 hours of short films from some of the most up-and-coming directors and producers in our country!

Short films, past and present, are true works of art, and deserve a festival dedicated to their exhibition. Short filmmaking is in the midst of a renaissance. Screening at a festival is a sure-fire way to start creating a buzz around your film and your career.

Our mission is to present quality short films from around South Africa as well as support, recognize and honour filmmakers creating a films under 30 minutes. This is a movement to exhibit and expand the art form of short filmmaking and support emerging filmmakers in reaching new audiences through the powerful language of film.

Serving as South Africa’s only dedicated short film festival, the IMSFF was founded to showcase  contemporary  short filmmaking, and aims to exhibit the most captivating and innovative short content. In the process, IMSFF hopes to build an audience for short film and help giving aspiring filmmakers a foot in the door of an rapidly growing industry. The short films will be organized thematically, in hopes of representing the full range of the human experience as reflected by our chosen filmmakers.

This year, we'll have 20 award categories, or better known as the MZANSI's. Nominees and winners will be chosen by a distinguished jury of industry professionals. 

AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN FOR THE FOLLOWING ACHIEVEMENTS:

1.    Best Short Film

2.    Best Director

3.    Best Student Film

4.    Best Original Screenplay

5.    Best Actor

6.    Best Actress

7.    Best Cameo by any Actor/Actress*

8.    Best Use of Music

9.    Best Original Score*

10. Best Cinematography

11. Best Editing

12. Best Sound Editing & Mixing

13. Best Visual Effects*

14. Best Production Design

15. Best Animated Short Film

16. Best Makeup & Hairstyling

17. Best Costume Design

18. Best Documentary Short Subject*

19. Best Trailer*

20. IMSFF Choice Award.

(* new categories)

Nominations in each category will be announced a week prior to the event, and published on the IMSFF website and in the Screen Africa online magazine.

Educational Program:

The INDEPENDENT MZANSI SHORT FILM FESTIVAL is designed to educate and inspire the next generation of filmmaker. We feature interviews with working industry professionals, live Q&A sessions with directors and producers in attendance, as well as workshops/ seminars for low-budget filmmakers. The festival will also give emerging filmmakers opportunity to network.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Please read the following submission requirements carefully before submitting your entry via email or online:

1. Films must have been completed after November 1st, 2013.
2. All non-English films must have English subtitles. (Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, etc.)
3. Films must be submitted on MP4 video and MOV video.
4. Film aspect ratio is preferably 16:9 (Since 2009, it has become the most common aspect ratio and is also the international standard format of HDTV and Full HD).
5. Audio is STEREO only.
6. Works-in-progress will be considered, provided they will be completed two weeks prior to the festival.
7. You may submit more than one film, but each submission must be a entry accompanied by its entry fee.
8. Please do NOT send stills or press kits. If your film is selected we will ask you to email us a still.
9. If your film is selected, you will be asked to provide: video trailer of '30 seconds in length and a poster A1 in size.
10. All films selected for the festival grant IMSFF the rights to use press materials from the film for promotional purposes.
11. All films selected for the festival grant IMSFF the rights to upload the submitted video trailer of 1 minutes in length on their YouTube Channel online for promotional purposes.

Submissions are accepted until June 5th, 2015. 

For more information on your CALL FOR ENTRIES visit our website @ www.imsff.co.za

Or contact us via email: info@imsff.co.za

If you know of a filmmaker who wants recognition for his work, this is the festival to join!

See YOU at the movies...

BAFTA Qualifying Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2015: Call for Entries

ASFF 2015 is looking for films in all genres up to 30 minutes long and is keen to engage further with filmmakers in South Africa.

The BAFTA Qualifying Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2015 is open for entries. Submit your short films for a chance to win screenings at the festival (5-8 November 2015) taking place in York, UK, plus many more great prizes and awards that will get your work noticed by industry, filmmakers and thousands of film fans.

There will also be masterclasses, networking opportunities, talks and Q&As to engage with industry leaders, such as BAFTA, Channel 4 and Association of Camera Operators.

The deadline for entry is 31 May 2015

ASFF 2015 PRIZES:
(All films are in competition)

• Screenings at the BAFTA Qualifying ASFF 2015
• Awards for Best Film in each category and People’s Choice
• Eligibility to enter the EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA)
• Screenings in various guest programmes at other film festivals
• Screenings as part of ASFF Film Tour
• Editorial in Aesthetica Magazine and on Aesthetica’s online channels (180,000 readership worldwide)

GENRES ACCEPTED: 

• Advertising, 
• Animation, 
• Artists’ film, 
• Comedy, 
• Dance, 
• Documentary, 
• Drama, 
• Experimental, 
• Fashion, 
• Music video, and 
• Thriller. 

Running times: up to 30 minutes.

To enter visit www.asff.co.uk/submit

Twitter: Follow @asffest

www.aestheticamagazine.com

Story Expo 2015 - Call for applications from the Writers' Guild of South Africa

Do you want to market your scripts to international players from around the world and attend seminars by 100 of the world’s most famous writers?  If yes, STORY EXPO 2015 is where you want to be! 

The WGSA plans to take 20 film and/or television performance writers to the STORY EXPO from 11 - 13 September 2015, which will take place in Los Angeles, California, USA!

WHAT IS STORY EXPO?

Story Expo is like Comic-Con…but for writers.

Story Expo is the world’s biggest convention of writers from all mediums – screenwriters, TV writers, novelists, filmmakers, gamers, journalists, graphic novelists, actors, business people, comic book writers and more. Featuring over 110 world-renowned speakers, 100+ classes and 30+ exhibitors, Story Expo covers all aspects of story and writing – from craft to business to pitching to career.

Learn how and where your story is best told to achieve its greatest success both financially and creatively. Take control of your stories by learning the craft, learning which medium your stories are best told, understanding the business of storytelling, identifying and using the tools and resources available to you, understanding how to package and pitch your ideas and scripts, and using social media and other techniques to start and maintain a successful writing career. Also be able to pitch your scripts and stories to top production companies, agents and managers in our Story Expo Pitching Room. Plus network with your peers from around the world during a fun, over-the-top weekend. 

Why Attend?

• Your Story Is Important.   Stories are written to move people, to change people's lives. Learn how and where your story is best told to achieve its greatest success both creatively and financially.
• Learn from Today’s Top Teachers.   Only at Story Expo will you get almost 100 of today's top, A-List story experts all together in one weekend, many teaching classes not available anywhere else.
• Be Inspired.   Stories inspire us. They move us. They make us feel. The great French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard said, "Sometimes reality is too complex. Stories give it form.” We all need that push, that inspiration, that allows us to create amazing new story worlds. Be around fellow writers from around the world who you will find inspiration in, and who will find inspiration in you.
• Sell Your Script!   Unlike most pitching events, the executives hearing pitches in the Story Expo Pitching Room are the real deal - development execs, VPs, managers and more. They have gone to great lengths to bring you the cream of the crop (20th Century Fox, CAA, Sony Crackle, eOne, Participant Media and more) to pitch face-to-face to.
• It's Story Expo!  Story Expo is produced and presented by TV/Film Seminars, the leading company in the world for writing and film-related seminars and workshops. Since 1999, they've brought you the biggest and best seminars and workshops from today's leading speakers.

STORY EXPO 2014 – PITCHING ROOM

In the Story Expo Pitching Room you will have the choice of sitting down with over 70 major companies to pitch your idea or screenplay to. Each pitch is a 5-minute, face-to-face meeting with an executive from the company you choose. Like in any pitch meeting, the executives recommend keeping your pitches 1-2 minutes long – excite them, wow them, woo them, make them want to hear more. After your pitch, they will discuss your pitch with you and give you valuable feedback. And if they like your pitch? They’ll request you send them your script or to talk with you again.

You have the chance to attend Story Expo 2015 as part of the WGSA’s application to the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) brand new Group Export Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS). The DTI is doing great work to help emerging content writers promote their projects at some of the world’s top events. 

While some individuals may want to apply to the DTI directly, many writers are not in a position to cash-flow a trip and then be refunded later, as per the individual scheme. The advantage of the group scheme is that the DTI pays suppliers UP-FRONT for flights, transfers and accommodation, including breakfast and dinner. It also pays for the group’s stand at the market, the printing of brochures and the freighting of promotional materials.

The group scheme is predominantly for emerging writers (60%), but a smaller contingent of experienced writers will be accepted as well. Preference will be given to previously disadvantaged applicants, especially those who have never attended an international film and script market before.

PLEASE NOTE that WGSA cannot guarantee that the DTI will approve the group application.

RULES:

1. Closing date: 28 FEBRUARY 2015 for electronic applications (see below application form to be e-mailed to admin@writersguildsa.org). NO LATE or INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS will be considered.
2. Please do not mail or courier original applications until the WGSA Council has approved your email application
3. All applicants must be prepared to join the WGSA if they are not yet members, and existing members must be paid up. For more information send an e-mail to admin@writersguildsa.org
4. Please note that this also applies to candidates applying via the NFVF.
5. A non-refundable, application fee of R100 is payable upon submission of application, and proof of payment must be submitted with the application. Please include YOUR NAME AND SURNAME/EXPO as REFERENCE. Payments without a reference cannot be assigned and your application will be unsuccessful.
6. All applications with proof of payment must be emailed to admin@writersguildsa.org

Documents to be emailed along with electronic application:

1. Duly completed and signed application form (see below).
2. Company profile as per guide on the application form if applicable. This can be done on the application form itself or separately but must be in line with the guidelines set out on the application form. If you are a sole proprietor and not a company or cc, please attach a comprehensive CV also in line with the guidelines of the application form.
3. Proof of registration of the enterprise in the form of a CIPRO certificate if a CC or (Pty) Ltd, or a certified copy of your ID document in the case of a sole proprietor.
4. Valid tax clearance certificate – at least valid until the end of the September 2015.
5. A logline as well as a comprehensive synopsis or treatment of your project.  PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR PROJECT IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. Works can be registered via the WGSA Script Registry. Please contact admin@writersguildsa.org for more details.
6. Audited Financial Statements or bank statements for at least three months, stamped by the bank.
7. A valid copy of the passport of the delegate valid until at least until the end of October 2015.

Once WGSA Council has approved the application, delegates are required to pay a non-refundable administration fee of R900.  Proof of payment, identified by the NAME AND SURNAME/EXPO reference, must be emailed to admin@writersguildsa.org. 

At this stage, a full set of the ORIGINAL documentation as set out above has to be hand delivered to the WGSA.

Courier / hand deliver (during business hours - 09:00 to 17:00) to:
Nr. 125
3rd STREET
LINDEN
JOHANNESBURG

Mail counter-to-counter to:
Thea Aboud
P.O. Box 1330 
Fontainebleau
2032

Applicants will be informed by WGSA if our group application to DTI has been successful.

Individual_Application_Form_with_GuidesBLANK _4_.pdf

 

WRITERS’ GUILD OF SOUTH AFRICA PARTNERS WITH THE BLACK LIST

The Writers’ Guild of South Africa (WGSA) is extremely proud to announce their partnership with The Black List, which will now enable their paid-up full and candidate members to list their script information including a logline, genres, tags, and more on The Black List database FOR FREE, making it visible and accessible to industry players from around the world.

The Black List is a real-time, dynamic online database of information about all television and film scripts in the industry. It allows writers the option of listing script information or hosting scripts to make them available for download by industry members world-wide.

The Black List database allows industry players to search for scripts by over 1,000 descriptive tags including budget range; location; actor age range, gender, race, and sexual preference; kind of action; themes; occupational environment; animals; pretty much anything, really. The number of searches that currently yield at least one script in their database has over 300 digits, and The Black List provides stats into the number of views your script page gets.

WGSA members will be able to host their scripts on The Black List by uploading them and making them available for immediate download by industry members. They can also have their work evaluated and rated by industry professionals. Hosting and evaluation are paid services, but even here guild members are entitled to 20% off the regular price.

ARE YOU A WGSA MEMBER?

If not, why not?

Contact the WGSA for more information on how to become a member and access the world-wide exposure offered by The Black List. Phone during office hours on 011 888 4349 or email the Executive Officer Thea Aboud on admin@writersguildsa.org