Two Pretoria schools to battle it out in movie-making competition

Two learners from Pretoria will battle it out in a nationwide short film competition after breaking through to the final round of the Filmit competition recently.

A total of 33 schools from South Africa and two from Namibia entered their two-minute film pitches, which amounted to 70 pitched concepts by the school groups. Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool grade 11 learner, Kaylin Schafer and Hoërskool Waterkloof learner, Sunette du Plessis were part of the 20 finalists.

The two learners produced film concepts dubbed Zombie Blowout by Hoërskool Waterkloof and The Gingerbread Man by Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool.

Paul Roos Gymnasium (initiator of the competition) spokesperson, Luna Paige said the selected 20 finalists were chosen as they believed their concepts portrayed entertainment value, was doable, evoked interest and would make for a good short film.

“The Filmit team wants to inspire all schools who entered to up their game and learn how to improve their ideas and concepts.”

She said Paul Roos Gymnasium looked forward to see how these learners grew, developed their filmmaking skills and contributed to the vast array of stories in Southern Africa.

Du Plessis said her film concept was rallying the comedy genre.

She said currently she was working on a script that would eventually see the movie evolve into a play.

“My idea for Zombie Blowout came originally from a short dream I had when I was younger.”

She said all about her dream would be unravelled soon, as she did not want to spoil the movie, which would be finally submitted in October.

Du Plessis said her passion for films derived from the times she would spend with her father in front of the television at a younger age.

“Watching films and series together was our bonding time. This is where my love for films originated.”

She said her dream was to become a director, “so winning this competition will mean a lot to me”.

Schafer said filmmaking, writing, acting and producing had always been her greatest passion.

“I have always felt drawn to filmmaking. Since acting is my first love, I’ve always wanted to be in movies and learn how the behind-the-scenes work.”

She said her mother was an avid reader, who loved to read to her from a very young age.

“I always felt inspired by the stories I heard, whenever she read to me, I would think, ‘Wow, this would be great on the screen’.”

Schafer said her discovery of films occurred at the age of 11 after seeing the cinematography of The Martian.

“I was astonished that the crew created something that looked so realistic. I joined a film academy in 2018, and haven’t stopped making short films since.”

She said the Filmit competition was an opportunity to improve her skills and to better her knowledge of the film industry.

She said the competition enabled the youth of South Africa to raise their voice and bring hope to the future of filmmaking in South Africa.

Schafer said she was planning on studying film arts, after high school.

Schafer also wanted to use this opportunity to put a spotlight on schools’ cultural and performing activities.

“It seems to me the majority of schools tend to focus more of their attention on the development of sport, and while that is great, culture and performing arts are usually put on the back burner.

“This competition is an opportunity to improve the cultural activity in our school and to give an extra boost to the creative department.”

She said winning the competition would financially aid Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool to invest in school’s creative department, improving drama facilities with equipment such as filming cameras.

Winners of the different categories will be announced on November 8.

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