Rural boy heading to the big apple

Budding movie producer Siphamandla Ngcobo’s movie has been selected to represent Durban at the Filmapalooza in New Orleans in the US.
The rural Ndwedwe-based producer, a radio producer by day, said he still could not believe that his short film, Zwelihle had been the one to impress the judges at the Durban 48 Hour Film Project competition last year.
“During the competition, me and my crew had to shoot and edit Zwelihle in 48 hours and everyone worked tirelessly to make sure we beat the other 32 films,” said Siphamandla.
Zwelihle is about a young man Mzomuhle whose life is overshadowed by the successes of his younger brother. After countless years of trying to conceive a child with his wife Dolly, it seems the heavens have shone on him and his family, but unknown to him the exciting news of his son’s imminent arrival will unravel secrecy and betrayal.
“Zwelihle took home the awards for the best actor, best actress, best cinematography, best editing, best use of genre, the award for participation and the best film at the awards ceremony held at the Sun Coast Casino last year,” said Siphamandla.
Part of the Durban 48 Hour Film Project prize was the opportunity to represent Durban at the Filmapalooza in March where it would compete with 125 other films from around the world for the grand prize of $5000 and the chance to screen their mini-masterpiece at the Cannes International Film Festival in France this year.
“It was the first time the competition was hosted in Durban and I could not be any prouder of my crew and cast for making us the first Durban winners.”
None of the people who worked on Zwelihle are professional film makers and all the actors were acting for the first time. Sphamandla works as a radio producer for the Izwi Lomzansi FM.
“I studied sound engineering but have always been interested in making films. In 2009 I worked at the Durban Film Office so that I could get some experience and that is where I met my mentor Madoda Ncayiya who is the brains behind the award winning Izulu Lami,” said Sphamandla.
Zwelihle is Sphamandla’s second film, his first film, Terasa, was one of the films shown during last year’s Durban Film Festival.
He said there would be more films coming from his Zero Three One Films stable but at the moment he was busy preparing for the Filmapalooza festival which will be held from March 6 to 10.
“We made Zwelihle with a non-existent budget but now our focus is raising funds for at least three of us to able be to go Filmapalooza so any assistance would be highly appreciated,” said Siphamandla.
Anyone who would like to assist the crew can contact Siphamandla on 072 791 4207.