Production News South Africa

SA filmmakers unite against xenophobia

On 23 May 2008, during the crux of the xenophobic violence that hit South Africa, Filmmakers Against Racism (FAR) was launched to promote racial and human unity. FAR is set to produce almost ten 24-minute documentaries and eight 30-second public service announcements on racism and xenophobia.

SABC has committed to broadcast the PSAs and negotiations are underway with e.tv and M-Net to also flight them.

Filmmakers Against Racism (FAR) is supported by the South African Screen Federation, the Independent Producers Organization and the Producers Alliance, and brings together a collective of reputable film production houses and directors. Amongst them are: Desiree Markgraaf, producer of Yizo Yizo, Amandla; Don Edkins, exec producer Oscar Winning documentary of Taxi to the Dark Side; Jeremy Nathan of DV8 producer of feature film Forgiveness; and Rehad Desai, Produceer/Director of Born into Struggle.

The PSA and documentaries will seek to remind South Africans that we fought a long hard battle to overcome the brutal forces of racism and we cannot let racism defeat us again. They emphasise that we are all African and call for compassion and solidarity with Africans seeking refuge and a better life in SA. There is no room in our democracy for any kind of violence, and in particular xenophobic attacks on immigrant communities. Long-term, sustainable solutions to inequality, founded on the principles of unity and tolerance, need to be highlighed.

Filmmakers Against Racism is administered by the Human Rights Media Trust based in Cape Town, which funds the The Tri-Continental Human Right Film Festivals, among other things.

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