Bonita Sithebe and Sithabile Mkhize to fly South African flag high at the Cannes Film Festival
The KwaZulu Natal Film Commission (KZNFC) will participate at this years Cannes Film Festival taking place in France from the 17th May 2022 to the 27 May 2022.
The KwaZulu Natal Film’s participation is at the Pavilion Afriques creates a unique venue for movie and trade promotion while outlining the diversity of African cinema.
In accordance with its mandate of developing and growing the KZN film industry, KZNFC will be aiming to promote local content, maintain and build relationships with key industry players through business to business meetings, identify opportunities for the sale and distribution of content, as well as participate in industry panels.
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The KZN Film Commission issued an open call to the industry inviting emerging filmmakers to form part of KZNFC delegation. Two female filmmakers; Ms. Bonita Sithebe and Sithabile Mkhize were selected out of a myriad of applications received.
“As per our strategic goals of empowering the youth and woman in the industry in the telling of their stories, Ms. Sithebe and Ms. Mkhize’s projects stood out, and we are confident that they will achieve the objectives they have set in attending the festival,” says Ms. Jackie Motsepe, KZN Film Commission’s Chief Operations Officer.
Written and directed by Bonita Sithebe, The Valley of a Thousand Hills tells a story of a young woman from a conservative village, who must choose between living a lie to stay the perfect Zulu daughter or risk death for true love.
“Nosipho has a secret. A loving daughter held up as an example in her community, with a domineering father who has chosen a potential husband for her, but her soulmate and one true love is a woman.” The film is produced by Philane Sithebe and stars Mandisa Vilakazi and Sbongokuhle Nkosi. Ms. Sithebe will have her first pitching session on the 21st of May at the Pavilion Afrique.
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God’s Work produced by rising star Sithabile Mkhize tells a story of four homeless friends who are caught between escaping their hardships and being swallowed up in the process. The film is a profound and satirical exploration of the human beings that exist on the margins of society.
Written and directed by Michael James, God’s Work is produced by Sithabile Mkhize with Toni Monty as the executive producer.
“As the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission we are excited to be part of this year’s Cannes International Film Festival through Pavilion Afrique. Our presentation will focus on our role and mandate in transforming and growing the KZN Film industry, profiling our locations and co-productions and our African agenda,” Said Acting CEO Mr. Victor Senna.
