Celebrating the youth of SA: Youth Power Online Audio-Visual Series
June month in South Africa is dedicated to the youth of 1976, who stood up against the Apartheid government and laid down their lives fighting for freedom and the right to equal education and this year marks 44 years since the uprising. For the first time in 26-years of democracy, the nation will commemorate the 2020 National Youth Month with restrictions under lockdown, as the country and the world battle the global outbreak of COVID-19. This year the theme is: YOUTH POWER GROWING SOUTH AFRICA TOGETHER IN A PERIOD OF COVID-19
The Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) in collaboration with the Film and Publication Board (FBP) and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) will be hosting a series of programs that seeks to inspire and support aspirant filmmakers and in particular the youth, to participate in this “New Normal”.. “We are aware that not all youth have data to access these platforms, hence we will make available data to 30 young people who will participate in the Empowerment Virtual Lecture with City Varsity” says Mr. Desmond Mthembu of the GFC. The program series is aimed at increasing interest in high school leavers and the youth to pursue a career in Film. The program will also enhance the use of the audio-visual medium as a tool that is an effective communication tool providing opportunities to grow South African audiences. This will also encourage the consumption of local content and encourage #LoveSAFilm.
The FPB session seeks to enlighten the youth on the process of content classification and the application of the classification guidelines to assign age ratings. This information is critical to assist content creators and producers; to know what is suitable for each age category before content is created so that films are aligned to their target market in terms of age suitability.
The three-tier program entails:
› Audio Visual Masterclasses: which are virtual masterclasses with youth industry practitioners, providing educational sessions to positively contribute to the transformation of the sector whilst battling with the effects of Covid-19. The masterclasses will deal with topics that are affecting the industry, allowing robust discussions to find solutions to key challenges faced by the youth and new entrants in the industry. All sessions will stream live on GFC, FPB and NFVF YouTube channels and Facebook pages from the 17 – 26 June, 14h00 – 16h00.
› Virtual Student Film Festival: is a 3 days online Student film festival that will be hosted through Watch parties using various digital platforms. The content sourced and screened will be strictly Non-commercial and have been produced by film school students from various film institutions. We will also create a virtual award for the most-watched film which will be awarded a share of Production Equipment to the value of R40 000.00. To enter your film please register on: https://youthshortfilmfestival.paperform.co deadline is the 19 June 2020 at 15h00. The festival will take place from the 24 – 26 June 2020, to be part of the watch parties go to the GFC, FPB and NFVF YouTube Channels.
› Empowerment Virtual Lecture on Business of Audio Visual: a variety of workshops will be hosted aimed at helping Film SMME’s, youth and Emerging filmmakers to better understand the South African “Film Business” landscape. The Webinars will be conducted through City Varsity, to assist film productions to grow their businesses and expand into the global market. To register for virtual lectures go to: https://youthfilmlectures.paperform.co deadline for submissions is the 18 June 2020 at 15h00.
For more information contact:
Siyabonga Mngoma: GFC Communication Manager
011 833 0409
Siyabongam@gautengfilm.org.za
Neo Moretlwe: NFVF Communications Officer
Nthabiseng May
Please, also visit our social media platforms and that of NFVF and FPB for the program calendar.