The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture, will once again host the National Arts Festival’s film component. The festival, which takes place in Grahamstown, runs until July 12 and the NFVF participation will run from July 7 to 10.

As part of its aims to increase the number of people trained in the film industry, particularly in areas of scarce skills, as well as increasing audience access to local films, the NFVF will host film workshops and screenings of local films as well as interactive sessions.

The aim of the programme is to educate and train participants from previously disadvantaged communities in areas of script writing, directing, performance as well as introducing them to the film industry by hosting a session in ‘how to enter the film industry’. NFVF has invited industry heavyweights including award-winning director Akin Omotoso (Man on Ground, Tell Me Sweet Something), award-winning script writer Loyiso Maqoma as well as Jefferson Tshabalala to facilitate the workshops.

kin’s new film Tell Me Sweet Something has been scheduled to screen at the Durban International Film Festival taking place from July 16, and will run nationwide at the cinemas from September 4. The film stars Maps Maponyane and Nomzamo Mbatha.

Along with the workshops the NFVF will screen local films including Hear Me Move, Faan se Trein, Blood Rose,and award winning Hard to Get and Miners Shot Down. Hear me Move is now available on DVD and can be obtained from various retailers nationwide.

“This initiative plays an important role in ensuring that the NFVF continues to develop the youth from previously disadvantaged areas in the area of film. We have designed a very strong schedule, supported by film industry professionals to ensure that film value chain careers are imparted to aspiring and emerging filmmakers from the region,” says Peter Kwele, NFVF head of marketing and communications.

Workshops and screenings will be taking place in the Gallery in the Round, 1820 Monument. For the full NFVF programme please go to www.nfvf.co.za.