It's time to Shnit!

Being shnitted simply means seeing an extent of 200 incredible short films in one week! And although this might sound crazy or impossible, it most definitely is not and is the most fun you can have in a week

This year marks the fourth year of the shnit International Shorfilmfestival, which takes place in eight cities internationally and, in Cape Town, will screen recent masterpieces from all corners of the world at The Labia Theatre and to the Neelsie's Pulp Cinema in Stellenbosch, with additional events and screenings at venues in and around Cape Town city bowl, Stellenbosch and stretching to the furthest limits of the greater city.

Now in its 11th global year, and its fourth in the Mother City, shnit International Shortfilmfestival continues its growth from strength to strength. One festival held simultaneously in eight cities, 2013 has Kyoto, Bangkok and New York join existing hosts Cape Town, Bern, Cairo, Buenos Aires and San Jose in a truly global celebration of the art of the short film.

Record entries

With a record 6700 entries from 141 countries, shnit is now truly one of the world's highest profile short film festivals and this year's 200-plus film programme is one of its most diverse and impressive festival line-ups, anywhere! The centrepiece is the shnit-Open international competition, in which 64 films compete for the coveted Flaming Faun trophy in five categories and prize money totalling over R1million. Fiction, documentary, animation and more - all genres are represented. Shnit's only criteria: that a film is contemporary, cutting edge and stands out in terms of quality.

As always, local focus is key to Cape Town's festival and the best in South African shorts take centre stage every night. shnit stretches local content to capacity in 2013, with a record number of entries and a record number of screenings.

The Made in South Africa Award category has grown to 21 films over three programme blocks and the crowd-favourite local showcase Kaapse Bobotie is bigger than ever, with a further 19 films to ensure that shnit in Cape Town has a truly local flavour. Local filmmakers in attendance each night are invited to provide insight into their work, allowing for engagement on a deeper level.

shnit TRAILER 2013 - INTERNATIONAL from shnit on Vimeo.

The jury

shnit's 2013 jury continues the high standards of previous years. Awarding the South African category are Helen Kuun of premiere local distributor Indigenous Films, National Film and Video development executive Neiloe Khunyeli and Anthony Silverston, director of Triggerfish Animation's forthcoming Khumba. Representing South Africa on the international jury are Peter Machen, manager of the Durban International Film Festival, and actress Moshidi Motshegwa (Drum, Endgame, Jozi).

shnit 2013 opens in glitzy style on Wednesday, 2 October and screens for five days at The Labia Theatre on Orange Street in Cape Town and at Pulp Cinema Stellenbosch, with additional screenings at Stellenbosch's 5 Ryneveld, presented by Cinemuse, and fringe screenings at City Varsity, Kloof Street, Cape Town.

City Varsity screenings are free to students from any film institution on presentation of a valid student ID. Look out for preview Creative Week events, like Cycle Cinema, in association with Moonlight Mass. See www.creativeweekct.co.za for details.

Sunday, 6 October has shnit sign off for another year with a closing awards ceremony at The Labia, also featuring the premiere of shnit's third annual RealTime competition films, completed within 72 hours over the course of the festival by three up-and-coming local filmmakers, sponsored by top local facilities.

All shows in 100-minute programme blocks. Tickets available directly from venues. All shows R30 unless otherwise advertised. See www.shnit.org for full line-up.

For more on the festival, go to www.writingstudio.co.za/page1037.html