Ugu Film Festival engages with communities
The festival went live at Shelly Beach Ster Kinekor cinema on Thursday with the screening of the opening film, Music Is My Life. Directed by Mpumi Mbele.
The 10th annual Ugu Film Festival brought industry workshops, renowned celebrities and more. The festival which kicked off last Thursday night in Shelly Beach included a number of things such as visits to local schools and providing information and critical insights on the funding of film projects.
Pupils from KwaFica High School, Bonguzwane High School and Gobhela Full Service School received great insights from veteran actors and industry experts on the film economy as well as career opportunities within the industry.
CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), Phelisa Mangcu said the South Coast is summer ready, saying that attracting local and international filmmakers in search of an all-in-one film production destination.
“The Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom is just that – paradise! We have some of the most captivating natural scenery, a year-round subtropical climate, unique cultural sites, ease of accessibility, and welcoming local communities, all of which make the KZN South Coast an in-demand film destination. We were excited to play hosts to the 10th annual Ugu Film Festival which not only attracts the industry’s best while promoting local film production, it gives us a wonderful opportunity to showcase what we have to offer. Our role is to attract tourist and film investors to our natural scenery. Hosting the Ugu Film Festival allows us to fulfil this mandate,” she said.
She added that the festival went live at Shelly Beach Ster Kinekor cinema on Thursday with the screening of the opening film, Music Is My Life. Directed by Mpumi Mbele.
Mangcu said the movie is an engaging account of the life of Joseph Shabalala and his rise to international fame with his Isicathamiya singing male choral group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
“The festival will wrap up on Sunday with the screening of the documentary The Life and Times of Menzi Ngubane, directed by Ntokozo Mahlalela, which tells the story of the late legend’s life. Attendees of the Ugu Film Festival were also involved in an outreach programme to the Umthwalume area, with the opportunity to visit the area’s many nature-based and cultural attractions. Beyond the beaches and ocean, there are several hinterland excursions, such as the newly launched Weza Hiking Trail and Umzumbe River Trail; Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre; as well as hiking, biking and extreme adventures,” she said.
Mangcu added that in addition to the annual Ugu Film Festival, the South Coast attracts leading production companies, among them international film crews from Discovery, National Geographic and Nat Geo Wild who film the planet’s greatest biomass migration, the Sardine Run, and more.
“Just last year, the KZN South Coast was chosen as the location for the filming of Season 2 of SABC 3’s, The Longest Date, showcasing iconic sites like Lake Eland Game Reserve, Oribi Gorge Wild 5 Extreme Adventures, KwaXolo Caves, Aliwal Shoal, and Protea Banks, among others,” she said.
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