The much-anticipated 9th Ugu Film Festival will take place from the 23rd to 26th September 2021. Following on a strict virtual event that took place last year, the organisers have confirmed that this year’s installment will take on a hybrid format to accommodate online participation as well as a limited number of participants at a venue in Port Shepstone.
Hosted by Zindela Pictures and supported by the National Film and Video Foundation (The NFVF), Saigon Cowboys Pictures, GS Bookings and Aroma Pictures, the Ugu Film Festival will feature film screenings, talks and industry-driven workshops. “We remain grateful for the support from both the festival audiences and our partner stakeholders that constantly ensure that every year we host a festival that not only entertains its audiences through the screening of films, but uplifts and educates them. This year we decided to use the hybrid model, as we believe that job creation should always be a part of the film value chain. With us being at a venue, we aim to give our youth the opportunity to experience and be physically involved in the hosting of the festival,” says Senzo Zindela, CEO at Zindela Pictures.
The festival will offer an entertaining and engaging menu; opening with the screening of South African film, The Hell City. Directed by Tebogo Mmela and starring legendary Patrick Shai, The Hell City boasts a colourful ensemble of popular and new actors. The film centers around the gang and mafia life in the city of gold, it is a brutal war with heartbreak, betrayal and violent death. This is the story of evil that lurks in the dark underground of Johannesburg yet is defeated by the courage of two of its victims.
Other films that will capture the audiences include; Anger Origin directed by Raphael Chilis Mhlongo, Minenhle directed by Happiness Mpase, Imfundo Nesintu by Sanele Mthembu, Amaqhinga directed by Nozipho Hlongwane, UKhumbuzile directed by Sanele Ndlovu, A Matter of Perspective directed by Gerda Leopold (Austria), Illusion directed by Sylvain Boayaga (Cameron), Nyara directed by Ram Ally K, Cece Mlay (Tanzania), After The Night With Valerie directed by Alex Garnett (United States), Oliver Black directed by Tawfik Baba (Morocco), Everything is false by Jean-Marie Villeneuve (France), Shanin directed by Salar Tehrani and many more.
The festival has also earmarked talks that include but are not limited to script-writing, film regulation, policy and law industry, film financing, film production and distribution, as well as the art of film development and film funding. These will be offered by industry professionals including the NFVF representatives, internationally acclaimed directors and producers, as well as representatives from the local Ray Nkonyeni Municipality. “Skills development is at the forefront of our objectives; therefore, our audiences will once again benefit immensely from the workshops that we host with the aim of imparting knowledge,” says Mr. Zindela.
The closing film for this year’s edition is Besekgreti, a local film directed by Siyabonga Zulu. The film is about two brothers who receive inherited businesses after the death of their father. Unbeknownst to them, the father had dirty secret dealings which are about to unravel. Full of action and drama, the film will leave the audiences with both tears and humour.
To register and confirm attendance, send an email to registrations@uguff.org and rsvp.uguff@uguff.org. Follow Ugu Film Festival Facebook Page. For a detailed festival programme visit: www.uguff.org.
