The NewSpace Theatre in Cape Town opens its first children’s musical production, The Night Before Christmas, from 4 to 24 December.

On the night before Christmas, Emily stares out of the window, hugs her teddy and waits excitedly for the morning. In the corner of her room, a little mouse called Eddie can’t understand why only humans get to celebrate and receive presents on this special occasion. Along his journey of discovery he dodges the family cat, gets directions from a cowardly toy soldier and is even given some unexpected advice from the magical Fairy on top of the Christmas tree. Will Eddie get an answer? Will Emily get her wish? And what is that odd-shaped present sitting under the tree?

The Night Before Christmas is directed by Dean Roberts who has played the lead in several children’s productions himself that include Oliver and Puss-in-Boots, and in other well-known shows such as The Importance of Being Ernest and the Rocky Horror Show. He has also performed in hit musicals like We will Rock You, High School Musical and Hair.

This delightful family musical is ideal entertainment for everyone from 3 years of age and up, and was originally created by the founder of the Big Wooden Horse Company, one of the United Kingdom’s finest children’s theatre companies. The show is set to original music, with colourful sets and costumes and stars three talented actors, Francesco Nassimbeni, Bethany Dickson and Stephen Jubber.

Performances run daily at the NewSpace 1 Theatre from 4 to 24 December at 11am and 2pm. Tickets cost R50 each via Computicket or 021 422 5522. Parking is available on the street, at Heritage Square on Bree Street or in the Parkade on Strand Street, all within easy walking distance to the theatre, situated on the corner of Long and Hout Streets.

Attendance increased significantly at the 30th Durban International Film Festival, reports Peter Rorvik, director of the festival and the Centre for Creative Arts.

“Attendance figures were up this year with over 22 471 at the 280 festival film screenings, representing almost 5 500 more than in 2008, despite there being 26 less screenings this year. Workshop and seminar attendances were also up with 1 650 film enthusiasts attending 38 seminars and workshops, indicating a great level of interest in the creative and technical processes of filmmaking. Separately, aspirants from community organisations participated in the AV UKZN video production workshop for first-timers, while Mtuthuzeli Matshoba ran a programme for scriptwriting in indigenous languages. Talent Campus, a cooperation project with the Berlinale Film Festival, hosted 38 young filmmakers from 20 different African countries in a five-day workshop programme themed Roots and Shoots: Creating a new African Cinema.”

The newly appointed Minister of Arts and Culture, Lulu Xingwana visited the festival and commented “The Durban International Film Festival has through the years become South Africa’s leading exhibition platform for local and international productions. It has demonstrated excellence in audience development programmes and contribution to the training and development of filmmakers,” adding that she was “glad to see the NFVF, IDC, the provincial and local government all pulling together to deliver an excellent festival.”

The Minister viewed Izulu Lami (My Secret Sky) which was the official opening film for the festival and Shirley Adams, which scooped a number of awards at the festival closing. The strong concentration of South African content comprised 9 feature films, 23 documentaries, and 44 short films.

Festival Manager Nashen Moodley said: “Higher attendance, a great group of filmmakers, including many new talents, excellent audience interaction and workshops, and deals made in the background … we’re really happy with the way the festival went, and look forward to an even better year in 2010. We’re grateful to our funders, the visiting filmmakers, and the Durban audience for making it happen.”

At a closing night ceremony on August 1, the Best Feature Film award went to No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti (Taiwan), directed by Leon Dai. The Best South African Feature Film was awarded to Shirley Adams, directed by first-time filmmaker Oliver Hermanus. His film also scooped the award for The Best First Feature Film and Best Actress award for Denise Newman.

The Best Director Award went to Philippe Lioret for Welcome (France). Intangible Asset No 82 (Australia/Japan) by Emma Franz, was awarded Best Documentary and the Best South African Documentary was awarded to The Silver Fez, directed by Lloyd Ross.

The Short Film Jury awarded Best Short Film to A Better Life (Spain), directed by Luis Fernandez Reneo and The Best South African Short Film was awarded to Coming Home, directed by Bobby Heaney.

Firat Ayverdi won best actor for his role in Welcome (France), Ole Bratt Birkeland won Best Cinematography for Helen (UK/Ireland), Best Screenplay went to Ruwanthie De Chickera and Uberto Pasolini for Machan (Germany/Italy/Sri Lanka).

Special jury mentions were made of the child actors of My Secret Sky (Izulu Lami) (South Africa), directed by Madoda Mcayiyana, Sea Point Days (South Africa), directed by Francois Verster , Nollywood Babylon (Canada), directed by Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal as well as Miss Sgodiphola (South Africa), directed by Andy “The Admiral” Kasrils

The Wavescapes Surf Film Festival Audience Award went to Surfica Musica (Australia), directed by Mick Sowry.

The Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award went to Rough Aunties (United Kingdom/South Africa), directed by Kim Longinotto.

The DIFF has also announced that Saving Luna (Canada), directed by Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit won the Audience Choice Best Film Award.

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) the principal funders of the 30th Durban International Film Festival are: the National Film and Video Foundation, Stichting Doen, HIVOS, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, German Embassy, Goethe Institute of South Africa, City of Durban, Industrial Development Corporation, with support from East Coast Radio, Durban Film Office, French Embassy of South Africa and other valued sponsors and partners.

There’s just one month to go and counting; on 29 August, film producers The Film Factory and their team start filming SA’s newest horror movie - Night Drive.

It is an emotionally charged and terrifying journey into the dark heart of the African Bushveld.

Night Drive is a gritty South African thriller/horror, set against the backdrop of the beautifully romantic African Bushveld, where an eclectic mix of tourists is left stranded during a night drive. It is only when they realize that they are being hunted by a group of poachers that the terror truly begins. The film is set in the present day and over one night only.

The Film Factory felt it was a natural choice to approach director Justin Head to write and direct Night Drive, known for his passion for Africa and the bush, and already now in pre-production he’s bringing a rawness to the project, ensuring audiences will be riveted to their seats as they watch the drama unfold.

Added to this is the “who’s who” of actors who have jumped at the chance to star in the movie; from seasoned theatre veterans to high profile television faces to fresh new talent. The stellar cast includes, amongst others; Corine Du Toit (Egoli, Getroud Met Rugby), Brandon Auret (Isidingo, Hansie – The Movie, Angels Song) , Leroy Gopal (Backstage, Home Affairs, Scarred Instinct), Greg Melvill-Smith (Mr Bones, 7de Laan, The Bang Bang Club), Clare Marshall (Run for your Wife, Wife begins at 40, Feast of the Uninvited), Yule Masiteng (Mzansi, Scandal, Jozi H), David Sherwood (Shaka Zulu, King Solomon’s Mines, Hansie - The Movie) and Akin Omotoso (Generations, Big Oakes, Isidingo).

Producers C A van Aswegen and James Carroll are still staying “mum” about who will be playing the lead character role but confirm that after a nationwide search, audiences will be extremely happy with who has been cast as South Africa’s next action hero, a face instantly recognizable to many television drama series’ fans.

Says Van Aswegen; “From the outset, we have had plans for Night Drive to be released internationally. Since ‘The African Safari’ plays such an important role in experiencing the ‘dark continent’, there is going to be an immediate connection and affiliation with audiences everywhere in the world, not only in South Africa.”

He continues; “We have already received tremendous interest from international shores to release in other territories, so with this in mind we needed to cast an actor who possessed the qualities of an international star. After a long search, not being prepared to settle for second best, we believe we have found him! We will shortly be making his identity known… watch this space for details!”

Night Drive is currently in pre-production and goes onto set on various locations around South Africa, on 29 August and films until the end of September 2009 with plans to release in 2010. More information will be released along the journey to terror…
Night Drive produced by: The Film Factory
Producers: C A van Aswegen, James Carroll
Co-producer: Susana Kennedy
Writer/Director: Justin Head
Release date: 2010
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Behind the Scenes
• Night Drive is the second movie this year from The Film Factory’s stable, to go on set, as Bakgat! 2 has been on set since June and are wrapping this week.
• These two movies form part of The Film Factory’s ambitious “Launch Sequence Project” whereby they have committed to producing three movies within the space of one year, from concept to production. Their third movie Superhelde begins pre-production in October 2009.

The Film Factory – A History
The Film Factory was established in 2003 for the production of the South African/Nigerian co-production feature film Blood Hunt, and comprises of 3 young and innovative, out-of-the-box thinkers; Danie Bester, C A van Aswegen and James Carroll.

Right from the outset, The Film Factory has pioneered their way forward, providing the entertainment industry with a number of “firsts” along the way:
• Pinky Pinky (2005) was a short film co-written and produced by James Carroll while still at AFDA, as his graduation film. It is the most played short film on M-Net/DSTV. The Film Factory is currently developing it into a feature film.
• Ouma Se Slim Kind (2007) – the first South African film to be released digitally. The Film Factory produced the film and facilitated post production. Ouma Se Slim Kind was South Africa’s official submission in the Foreign Language Category in 2008’s Academy Awards.
•Bakgat! (2008) – The first independent film that was developed from concept to final delivery all done in-house. Bakgat! 2 is currently on set with plans to release 2010.
• The Launch Sequence Project (2009) whereby three movies will be produced and financed independently by one production company within a one year period.

The Film Factory is a boutique facility, following new age principles in film with a strong belief in the advantages of digital innovations. They strive to continually set new trends, pushing the boundaries that are currently in existence, to ensure that South African audiences receive the best films possible in a league of their international counterparts.

The Film Factory has also notched up an impressive list of credits in various other entertainment genres:

Television Documentaries
The Film Factory have provided post production on over 40 documentaries including a tribute series documenting the life and times of Nelson Mandela, “Counting the Booty” – a series highlighting the effects of the Angolan Border War for which “Betrayed” was nominated for a SAFTA (2008) and “Afrikaner, Afrikaan” – a documentary investigating the identity of the Afrikaner today.

Television Drama Series
Post production has been provided on many television series, including Kruispad (which received 5 Veertjie awards earlier this year) and currently Getroud Met Rugby – KykNet’s highest rated show ever.

Television Music Shows
MTV Base – producing a 1 hour documentary on “the making of the music video” for Gabon and editing and providing post production on a number of TRL episodes.

Music Videos
The Film Factory has produced over 50 music videos for the South Africa’s hottest artists including Karen Zoid (“Kaapstad” voted as one of MK’s top 10 best videos of 2008), Glaskas, ef-eL, Shaun V, Melanie Lowe, Johnny Neon, Melktert Kommissie, Albert De Wet, Incha (featuring Danny K and HHP) and Hi-5 – “Kinders van Die Wind” winning a GMT Award in 2005 for Best Music Video.