The third annual Jozi Film Festival (JFF) takes place from 21 to 23 February and for the first time international films will be screened alongside local productions. More than 250 films were submitted for this year’s festival, the selection is complete and judging is underway.
“Great films really have no geographical boundaries and speak to a global audience so we took the decision to include international entries alongside South African films,” says Lisa Henry, festival founder and organiser.
She continues, “We have therefore created new award categories for the international entries but remain committed to showcasing and promoting local talent first and foremost, our opening night film being the South African premiere of iNumber Number. We also feel that this new addition will offer inspiration to our filmmakers and that the films that have been selected will engage a Jozi audience.”
Foreign films have screened at JFF in the past, but had been linked to Johannesburg somehow. “We have done away with that criteria and entries have been submitted from around the globe from countries like Kenya, the Philippines, Canada, Germany, the US, Australia and India and well over 100 films from South Africa itself ,” comments Henry.
The Bioscope Independent Cinema in Maboneng Precinct will be the cornerstone of the festival again and will host the opening night film on Friday 21 February. “Our other venues are Cine Centre in Killarney and on Sunday 23 February, we will be holding screenings at The Rand Club,” adds Henry.
JFF2014 will offer more workshops and seminars from industry leaders, which will be held on Saturday 22 February at Goethe on Main.
“We are also running a six-second Vine Mobile Competition – open to all and based around the theme ‘Unexpected’. Anyone can upload their masterpiece to Twitter using #jff2014 @carelnolte,” concludes Henry.
Follow Jozi Film Festival on Facebook to keep up to date with all the news. A full list of films that will screen is available at www.jozifilmfestival.co.za. Ticketing and information on how to book will be released shortly.
