Entertainment

Film Festival to Hit Durban Shores

Published

9 years ago

8 June 2016

Durbanite

Movie buffs, you’re in for a treat because the festival you’ve been waiting for is finally here. The 37th annual Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) will be kicking off with over 150 screenings at 15 venues across Durban and its outlying areas from 16-26 June.

So, the theme, you ask? Of course! No DIFF is complete without a key focus and this year’s does not disappoint. Several areas will be spotlighted this year including dance and music, contemporary Dutch film and issues around intersectionality. Fear not as this does not mean the festival will not be celebrating Africa’s growing film industry as the festival will be screening approximately 50 African and South African films.

This year’s opening night film will be broadcast on the 40th anniversary of 16 June 1976 and will showcase the World Premiere of the South African documentary, The Journeymen, the latest instalment in the Twenty Journey project. The Twenty Project was made possible courtesy of Kickstarter backers and chronicles the journey of three young South African photographers, Wikus de Wet, Sipho Mpongo and Sean Metelerkamp, as they travel 24 000km in a motorhome throughout South Africa, with GoPro cameras strapped to their chests, to explore the mood and feel the pulse of contemporary South Africa.

Said Acting Festival Director, Peter Machen, “It is highly appropriate that this intersectional portrait of our strange and beautiful country will screen on the fortieth anniversary of 16th June, 1976. The film is a portrait of a nation that was forever changed by the actions of the youth of Soweto, and screening it on this day will act as a tribute to the bravery of the tens of thousands of unnamed young people who helped build the road to our liberation.”

DIFF partners for the 11th year with Wavescape to present a feast of surfing cinema from around the world. Wavescape opens with a free outdoor screening at the Bay of Plenty Lawns on Sunday 19 June, before locating to the new venue at Rivertown Beerhall from June 20 to 26.

The 9th Talents Durban in co-operation with Berlinale Talents, brings together the creativity of 20 selected filmmakers from Africa, who will take part in a series of masterclasses, workshops and industry networking opportunities during the Festival. Supported by German Embassy and Goethe-Institut, Talents Durban creates a space for filmmakers to hone their skills, develop collaborations and network with other future leaders of the film industry in Africa, and the world.

Now in its 7th year, the Durban FilmMart, a partnership project with the Durban Film Office, and supported by the City of Durban, is a film finance and co-production market presented in three strands – Finance Forum, Master Classes and the Africa in Focus seminars. Nineteen selected African projects (9 fiction features and 10 documentaries) will hold one-on-one meetings with potential financiers, co-producers, and distributors in the Finance Forum. The DFM master class and networking programme is open to registered delegates only. See www.durbanfilmmart.co.za for further details.

New venues this year include the Playhouse, Nu Metro (Westville Pavilion), Rivertown Beerhall and numerous outreach venues in Umlazi, Clermont and Inanda. Other venues include Ster Kinekor Musgrave, Ster Kinekor Cinema Nouveau, the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, the KZNSA Gallery, eKhaya MultiArts Centre, Luthuli Museum in Groutville and the Elangeni-Maharani Hotel, with festival hubs at the Elangeni-Maharani and the Playhouse.

Programme booklets with the full screening schedule and synopses of all the films will be available free at cinemas, and other public information outlets. For more info go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za

Author: Durbanite

Up Next

Seal SA Tour: Ticket Giveaway

Don't Miss

BOKTOWN IS BACK AT SUNCOAST!

Click to comment

Art

The East Coast Radio House & Garden Show 2025

Published

2 weeks ago

8 April 2025

Shelley

It’s fresh, bright and chockfull of surprises! It’s the 2025 East Coast Radio House & Garden Show, and we’re talking fresh spaces. bright living! A giant breath of fresh air will sweep through the Durban Exhibition Centre when the Show rolls out from Friday 28 June to Sunday 6 July.

fresh spaces. bright living is all about how to tweak or transform your home into one which brings you joy, and allows you to be you! Whether it’s little touches of stylish decor or large sweeps of bold colour and pattern, you’ll leave the Show bursting with new skills from the experts, bright ideas from different brands… and loads of goodies and parcels. Jump on board, the 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show promises to fill your head with creativity to create your own fresh spaces. bright living.

Calling all cooks and homemakers!

This year’s Test Kitchen is the kitchen of the future! Hirsch is at the helm and The Kitchen Studio is creating a space that’ll knock your socks off. Top celebrity chefs (surprises up our sleeve), fabulous personalities (guess who?), crazy cooks (laughter is the best medicine)… the line-up is as long as it is sensational! If cooking’s your happy place, the Hirsch kitchen is the only place to be.

The 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is going to be child’s play!

This is Durban’s true family show, and we’ve got you well covered for the first week of the school holidays! From littlelies to larger, this year’s kids zone has mushroomed into its own dedicated hall, and has way, way more of what they love! And parents, this one’s for you. Drop and shop – there’s now a super-safe, well supervised drop-off zone, so you can do your thing, while they do theirs. A dedicated Kids Zone in the Coast of Dreams, with a whacky wonderland of activities. Packed with fun, yet competitive, activities and challenges, teens can put their skills to the test! From the incredible Monster Manor to fairytale characters to face-painting, wrestling and bowling, the kids just won’t want to go home.

The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is always full of winners…

And why shouldn’t it be you? With competitions big and small, you could carry home anything from the coolest kitchen appliance to the hottest sound system, a tantalising voucher to something or somewhere sensational or bags full of your favourite products.

This season, the Show is shining a full spotlight on fresh spaces, bright living, both outdoors and in! Plants, landscaping and new tricks and tools for garden lovers; boys’ toys and bits and bobs for outdoor lovers; and goodies and gadgets for those who live to braai! Renovating, restoring or dreaming of adventure, the Show will take you where you want to go.

We can’t wait to see you there!
www.housegardenshow.co.za

Author: Shelley

Entertainment

Bluey is coming to Durban for the FIRST TIME!

Published

2 weeks ago

4 April 2025

Shelley

Wackadoo!
Bluey is heading to Gateway in real life!

Get ready for an UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE at Gateway Thetre of Shopping from 29 April to 4 May and join them for a FREE Meet & Greet with Bluey.

Snap a photo, share a high-five, and make magical memories.
Bring the whole family for some Heeler Bluey fun. Stay connected to their social media page here for more information.

Author: Shelley

Attractions

Get Ready for the Supertech Torque Motoring Festival

Published

2 weeks ago

4 April 2025

Shelley

The Supertech Torque Motoring Festival is set to return to Dezzi Raceway on April 19th and 20th, 2025.
This annual event, organized by the Supertech Group, promises a weekend filled with high-speed action, family-friendly activities, and entertainment.

Event Highlights:

Hot Laps & Drifting: Experience the thrill of high-speed laps and drifting exhibitions.
Custom Dip Experience: Showcases of vehicle customization and styling.
BMW M Driving Experience Show: A display of BMW’s performance vehicles in action.
Spin Show Extravaganza: Professional drivers performing precision stunts.
Official BMW Merchandise Pop-Up Store: Exclusive merchandise available for purchase.
Circuit Racing Action: Competitive racing events featuring various classes.
Stunt Shows & Historic Feats: Daring performances and record attempts.
Helicopter Flips: Aerial tours offering a unique perspective of the event.
Torque Fashion Show & Concours: A blend of automotive excellence and fashion.
Miniature Radio-Control Car Track: Interactive activities for all ages.
M Lounge: An exclusive area for Supertech M & M Performance customers.
VIP Hospitality Lounge: Premium services and amenities for VIP guests.
Family Fun Time: Activities and entertainment suitable for families.

Ticket Information:

General Access: R200 (Available Online)
Kids (Under 10 Years): Free (Available Online)
VIP Access: R1500 (Includes private viewing deck, seating, complimentary snacks, and beverages)
Hot Laps: R300 (Available exclusively on the MySupertechWorld App)
Drift Rides: R350 (Available exclusively on the MySupertechWorld App)
Helicopter Flips: R750 (Available exclusively on the MySupertechWorld App)

Daily Schedule:

Saturday, April 19th:

09:00 AM – 09:45 AM: Circuit Racing – Session 1
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: Hot Laps
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Drifting Show
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Drift Rides
01:00 PM – 01:45 PM: Spinning Show
02:00 PM – 02:45 PM: Stunt Show – SA Record Attempt
03:00 PM – 03:45 PM: Circuit Racing – Session 2
03:00 PM – 04:00 PM: Auction
04:00 PM – 04:30 PM: Fashion Show
04:45 PM – 05:00 PM: M Car Convoy Parade Lap

Sunday, April 20th:

09:00 AM – 09:45 AM: Circuit Racing – Session 1
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: Hot Laps
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Drifting Show
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Drift Rides
01:00 PM – 01:45 PM: Spinning Show
02:00 PM – 02:45 PM: Stunt Show – SA Record Attempt
03:00 PM – 03:45 PM: Circuit Racing – Session 2
03:00 PM – 04:00 PM: Fashion Show

Additional Information:

To enhance the festival experience, attendees are encouraged to download the MySupertechWorld App, which offers exclusive access to certain tickets and up-to-date event information. The festival is designed to cater to all ages, making it an ideal outing for families, car enthusiasts, and those seeking a weekend of excitement.

For more details and ticket purchases, visit the official Supertech Group website or follow their social media channels for the latest updates.

Don’t miss out on this premier motoring event that brings together speed, style, and entertainment in one exhilarating festival.