GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Those interested in learning more about the film industry mustn't miss the fifth Garden Route International Film Festival (Griff), which is being held from Thursday to Sunday, 3 to 6 August, at the Diaz Hotel in Mossel Bay.
This fest is for you if you have always dreamed of working in the film industry, whether as an actor, stuntman/woman, cameraman/woman, location scout, director, producer, screenwriter, film tourism, working with drones or the art department.
This annual celebration of creative expression, education, new technologies and media in the film industry is not to be missed.
Many of the workshops are free and ticketed events are affordable, giving everyone the opportunity to learn and discover what's going on behind the scenes of film and film tourism, as well as the opportunity to educate themselves and reach for the stars.
With representatives from over 30 countries, Griff supports emerging and established filmmakers worldwide and encourages community participation and learning through innovation.
The live event includes workshops and seminars, as well as many opportunities to meet and share, while the online option provides access to some podcasts and seminars, as well as streaming video.
The youth programme, industry programme and workshops are mostly free, and guest speakers include a number of experts and enthusiasts from South Africa and overseas. There is huge excitement as the award-nominated Hollywood actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim is attending Griff this year.
Industry Programme
Guest speakers include:
- Lala Tuku – SABC Head of Local Productions Video Entertainment
- Desiree Tan - Commissioning Editor – Premium Channels M-Net
- Quentin Krog - Commissioning Editor | Premium Channels - Scripted Content | M-Net
- Brent Leo- Smith - CEO & Co-Founder of Painted Dog Tv Topic: The Benefits of Virtual Travel in Tourism and Conservation.
- Dominic Taylor - Associate Director - Ginkgo Agency and Beautiful News
- James Byrne - Co-Founding Director | International Tourism Film Festival Africa Topic for Industry Program: Film Tourism / Content Creation on The Run
- Janet Pillai - CEO Multilayer Trade Corporation Topic: Tourism and Film.
- Azania Muendane - Founder | Locations Africa Topic: Marketing Locations
- JP Lieveaux - Professional Location Scout Marketing and Promotions Manager |
- Loren Pavitt - Capenature Topic: Natural Cinematic Wonders: Exploring Capenature’s Stunning Locations
- Maggie Mutangiri - CEO & Founder of Travel Africa Network
- Monica Rorvik Head: Film and Media Promotion Unit – Wesgro
- Patrick Walton - Chairman – Garden Route Film Commission the Garden Route – Endless Possibilities
- Sphesihle Dlamini - Location and Facilities Specialist Operations & Strategy / Public Officer – Writer’s Guild of South Africa
- Thea Aboud - Publicity Manager | Freelance Ernst Swart Topic: PR Is a Thinking Game!
- Lisa Mini - Project Manager – Film and Media Production Unit | Wesgro Founding Owner – Towerkop Creations
- Uga Carlini - Topic: Through the Lens: Unveiling Heroines – A Candid Journey into The World of Female Driven Filmmaking.
- Doné Louw Manager – NMB Convention Bureau Manager | Edta. Topic: Nelson Mandela Bay Locations – Something New
- Songezo Boyisi - Investment Specialist – Eastern Cape Development Corporation Topic: How to Access Eastern Cape Film Investment Fund
- Elani Pretorius -Director and Coach – Ace Models Mosselbay & George
- Nerusha Maharaj-Sadapal - City Producer - 48 Hour Film Project
Youth Programme
Learn the skills to make you employable in the global film & television industry. The practical approach of the programme will prepare you for the rigours of the industry and challenge you to go out to create.
- Drone workshop - CEO and film producer of Skypixels RIAAN HUYSAMEN. Topic: Drones: Revolutionising industries and capturing unique perspectives
- Postproduction for film - director and owner of Little Brother Media Productions PETRI KLEYNHANS. In this session Petri gives participants in the youth programme an introduction to postproduction.
- Stunts - sword fighting for the movies. Istunt Academy's JOHN SMITH presents a basic course in sword fighting for action sequences in films.
- Acting for the camera presented by soap actor / acting coach JACQUES GOMBAULT.
- Studying film at AFDA – COO of the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance, HENRIETTE DE VILLIERS is the presenter.
- Introduction to scriptwriting - presented by part-time trainer of Writers Guild of South Africa HANNÉ KOSTER. In this workshop session students will get a crash-course in scriptwriting while writing their own short script.
- Critical industry skills and job opportunities - industry training and development manager of NFVF LERON ADONIS will discuss critical skills to learn for success in the film job market.
- Creative film making - director of the Garden Route Film Commission LETITIA CUNNINGHAM is the presenter. Over the course of the GRIFF, 10 selected candidates from age groups 16 to 20 with different backgrounds and NO EXPERIENCE will form experimental film crews.
- The Fundamentals of story telling - director and owner of Lwazi Duma Entertainment LWAZI DUMA. Introduction to digital filmmaking.
- Operations Manager – Panavision South Africa MATTHEW MACLENNAN
Movies showing
The Garden Route International Film Festival will include top-notch movies in a variety of genres, supplying pure fun for moviegoers.
There is something for everyone, including documentaries, dramas, experimental, feature films, music, sci-fi, short, and student films. Do a movie marathon after buying a day pass for as little as R75. Check the schedule of the tickets.
The venue of the Griff is Diaz Hotel in Mossel Bay.
Green carpet occasions
For the opening and closing nights of The Garden Route International Film Festival, walk the green carpet. It's time to get fancy and mingle.
Dress is black tie, and the ticket price includes admission to the movie and wine tasting on the opening or closing nights.
Drive-in
Join the Drive-In at Diaz Beach for the following movies (entry is R100 per car):
- Ticket to Paradise
- Marry Me
- Puss in Boots
- RIPD 2: Rise of the Dammed
Dates and times available on the website programme.
From left: Cornelle Carstens, Deon Lensing and Karen Grey at the previous Griff.
Themed evenings
The following themed evenings that are not to be missed:
Music of the Movies
Music of the Movies Quiz with prizes to be won!
Join in for the film, A Star is Born, preceded by a wine tasting and “Music of the Movies” featuring a selection of songs from classic movies. Enjoy some of the most beautiful songs ever written for film, performed acoustically to please your appreciative ear.
Denim and Diamonds
Dress-up according to the theme – there is a prize for the best dressed guest.
There will be a screening of a cult classic, Footloose, preceded by a wine tasting and local acoustic artist Marius de Bruin performing some of Niel Diamond’s most classic hits.
Platters can be ordered in advance form Diaz Hotel by emailing Ann gm@bahiableu.co.za.
Award-nominated Hollywood actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim is attending Griff this year.
Virtual Garden Route International Film Festival
Are you not in the Garden Route area? The Garden Route International Film festival has a virtual movie pass giving you access to watch all the movies from the comfort of your home for the duration of the festival.
Go to www.gardenrouteinternationalfestival.com for more information and to sign up or buy your tickets. For more information, contact Belinda at admin@knysnafestivals.co.za or 074 4562253.
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