AFM 2018

3 Trailers Showcased Daily @ AFM
Click to View - Day 2 - November 1st

Send Press Releases to: press@thebusinessoffilm.com

Sollywood Films Hosts The Ugu Film Festival
Located In KwaZulu-Natal Province S.A.

Senzo Zindela, from Ezinqoleni, the founder and chairman of Ugu Film Festival and Sollywood Films, received the special recognition award for provincial development at the 10th annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) ceremony held at Gallagher Estate in Gauteng

Local film festivals around the world are galvinising and encouraging the local and regional film industry talent offering a platform to celebrate talent in front and behind the camera. Ugu Film Festival 2018 was a success despite challenges and lived up to its promise of becoming bigger and better event, with a high level of film industry development.

Hosted by Sollywood Films PTY Ltd, the film festival was based the Margate Hotel, in Margate, a seaside resort town on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast and extended to various other Ugu Districts. Senzo Zindela, Ugu Film Festival founder, said: “I’m proud to say that I’m happy with the community response we received as well as the support from the Uzalo cast that came to ensure that our participants leave the festival with wealth of knowledge. The Ugu District Municipality, whom the festival could not have happened without their support, continues to be our pillar and we wish they continue with their amazing work of ensuring community development. The Ugu Film Festival, which has been running for three consecutive years, has grown from strength to strength. Not only has it grown but it has made an impact on those living in rural areas such as Gamalahke, Ezinqoleni, and Mtwalume as we screen local films which people can relate to.”
The three-day festival was packed with a skills development menu which entailed high school programs, panel discussions, workshops, and round table discussions aimed at encouraging the production of films by linking writers, directors and producers. Actor Siyabonga Shibe from the telenovela Uzalo, which is broadcast on SABC 1, the public service South African television channel, commented that for him the festival served as a platform to give back to the community, as “I would do it again, the contents of the workshops, engagements and the exercises that took place will stay in the participants’ minds for a long time as they build their careers.”

Siyabonga Shibe – courtesy Siyabonga Shibe Instagram

A documentary film Isivivane SeNkosi Ushaka which stars Ntokozo Ndlela and Nosipho Mbhele as the main cast, centers on the late King Shaka's trek to the then Mpondoland to battle King Faku and how on his way he made a stop in Port Shepstone, was produced in Port Shepstone as result of the combination of the film community and the community coming together to make this important documentary on King Shaka, one of the most influential monarchs of the Zulu Kingdom. Senzo Zindela said: “This film is a testament that our efforts are indeed bearing fruits.”

Industry stars that attended the festival included Siyabonga Shibe, Baby Cele, Dumisane Dlamini, Nokuthula Mabika, Nelisa Mchunu, Thembinkosi Thwala, and Glen Gabela. The next the Annual Ugu Film Festival will take place in September 2019.