WE’RE OVERWHELMED WITH EXCITEMENT!

The Umlazi International Film Festival is thrilled to announce that we’ve received an astonishing 120 film submissions from talented filmmakers around the globe!

From compelling documentaries to captivating feature films, and from innovative shorts to mesmerizing animations, the diversity and creativity of this year’s submissions have left us speechless.

WE’RE GRATEFUL FOR:

The trust and support of filmmakers worldwide.
The opportunity to showcase emerging talent.
The chance to share powerful stories that inspire and educate.

NOW, THE JOURNEY CONTINUES…

Our judging panel will carefully review each submission, selecting the most outstanding films to be showcased at our festival.

STAY TUNED FOR:

Film selection announcements.
Festival schedule reveals.
Special guest and workshop announcements.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Share your thoughts on this year’s submissions.
Tag a filmmaker who’s making waves.
Use #UmlaziFilmFest #FilmSubmissions #UIFF2024

GET READY FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE!

UmlaziInternationalFilmFestival #FilmFestival #CelebratingFilmmakers #StorytellingMatters

I don’t know where to start.
You have come to the right place.
Here is something contrary to the common belief that the creative industry is for dull, unlearned individuals who dropped out of school because they were too lazy to learn: the creative industry is the one industry where those unwilling to keep learning cannot survive.
Think about how actors have to become people they have never seen and convince the audience that they are who they say they are.
Think about how the writers create worlds, people, and sets of beliefs and creatively argue on different topics using storytelling and how the impact of stories led to some laws changing.
Honestly, the creative is not for the faint-hearted.
So, where do you start?

EDUCATE YOURSELF
There are many ways to learn and equip yourself, so do not let this statement about educating yourself make you lose interest in your dream of making films. There are more ways to learn different things now- including how to make films- than ever before.
Find a way that works for you. If it takes watching how-to videos endlessly on YouTube, do that. If it takes attending all the workshops hosted by different film industry organizations, attend them. If it takes lending all the books about screenwriting and making movies from the library, then read.
If you are willing to invest time learning how to make movies, you will end up with your film. It is guaranteed.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
Attending workshops is a way of learning; it will help you meet different people at different stages of learning and filmmaking. You will find your potential future collaborators here.
The key to making these relationships work for you is building meaningful relationships. Be sincere about your pursuit, but do not pressure people to finish your project quickly. These things take time.
If you connect and start building a relationship via social media networks, engage with the people you wish to work with in conversation and comment on their work. If they have released a movie project you believe is good, you can say but do not lie about a project that did not impress you.

KNOW THE INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS
There are organizations in the film and TV industry. They all have different programs for industry practitioners. These organizations unearth new creative voices, develop new talent, and support economic growth for the practitioners in the creative arts.

UMLAZI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL BLOG ARTICLES
It is good for someone interested in making a movie to know these organizations, understand how they adjudicate funding applications, and learn how to find a team to help you bring your story to life.

LINKS TO SOME FILM INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Durban Film Office (DFO)
https://film.durban.gov.za
KwaZulu Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZN TAFA)
www.zulu.org.za
www.kznfilm.co.za
National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF)
www.nfvf.co.za
South African Guild of Actors (SAGA)
https://saguildofactors.co.za/
Independent Producers Organization (IPO)
https://ipo.org.za/
Are there any topics that you want us to cover on this platform? Are there any burning questions? Would you like to write for our blog as a guest?
Please email us at info@umlazifilmfest.co.za

The Umlazi International Film Festival is a platform by creatives for creatives seeking to grow the film industry, expose Umlazi talent to bigger markets in film, support the emerging talent, upskill, empower and positively impact the community it serves. The organizing team believe that there is so much we can do to change the narrative of local talent, and developing others is a step in the right direction.

The launch of the 3^rd Umlazi International Film Festival had on the panel actor Sandile Dlamini, actor Bhekani Shabalala, actor Thabo Mnguni, actress Luyanda Zwane, Athandiwe Ngcobo representing the Creative Arts College, Fezile Peko representing the Durban Film Office, Nosipho Dladla representing the Film and Publications Board, and film producer Xolani Sithole.

The launch was held at the Umlazi University of Technology, an organization that has responded positively to the local artists cry for help and support, they are offering rehearsals venue facilities to the local artists through the festival to help develop local talent. The university is also opening doors as a filming location for educational films ONLY. Anyone interested in filming at MUT can contact the UIFF organizers for assistance.

Umlazi International Film Festival and the 48hr film signed an MOU. The 48hr sponsored UIFF with 15 entries so filmmakers who are part of the festival this year can be part of the next 48hr film for free.

Thabo Mnguni is urging all the experienced artists who are originally from Umlazi to invest in developing young and emerging festival. Bhekani Shabalala expressed how he had always wanted to give back to the community through grooming the next generation of talent, he is happy that the festival is making this possible.

Luyanda Zwane says: “Umlazi International Film Festival is off to a good start. She promises to help in the artists’ development. She believes that if the youth is busy, it helps curb crime, teenage pregnancy and boosts self-employment.”

The festival organizers would like to that all the entities that were represented: the Creative Arts College, the Durban Film Office, the Film and Publication Board, the 48hr film, the Umlazi Township Tourism, the Coastal Zone Entertainment, UMLACTO and Umlazi Broadcast.

A word of thanks also goes out to Ezanamuhla KZN, Izwi Lomzansi, BT News and Intokozo FM.

The 3^rd Umlazi International Film Festival happens over three days, at the Umlazi University of Technology between the 27^th of November and the 29^th of November 2024.

Released by: Michael Ngema