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Tsotsi causing a stir
Hot on the heels of its Edinburgh accolades, Tsotsi - directed by Gavin Hood - continued making history when South Africa named the film its official entry for the 2006 Academy Awards last week. The film will also be screening as part of the official selection at the 30th Toronto International Film Festival on 14 and 16 September.
Tsotsi was the first film in more than seven years to win both the Standard Life Audience Award for most popular film and the Michael Powell Award for Best Film at the 58th Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF).
Helen Kuun of Ster-Kinekor Distribution Marketing, says: "Toronto is the truest test of any film's prospects because the festival is about audience reception. The festival is for people who love cinema, so this will be a key test for Tsotsi. Given its reception so far, and its selection as South Africa's entry for the Oscars, we are confident it will do South Africa proud."
Hood says: "For a film to be selected and win international awards there is no room for mediocrity in any department. I am enormously proud of the entire cast and crew of Tsotsi."
Tsotsi stars Presley Chweneyagae, Terry Pheto, Zola, Kenneth Nkosi, Mothusi Magano, Rapulana Seipemo and Zenzo Ngqobe among others.
Producer Peter Fudakowski says: "The EIFF's discovery of Tsotsi places the film in the excellent company of other Edinburgh winners, such as Rabbit Proof Fence, The Full Monty, Amelie, Billy Elliot, and Buena Vista Social Club, so as co-producer I am confident that Tsotsi will also turn out to be a great international commercial success. Toronto is the next step on Tsotsi's road to recognition."
Ster-Kinekor Distribution will be releasing Tsotsi in South Africa on 3 February 2006. In order for the film to meet the Academy's criteria for entry, this release will be preceded by a weeklong commercial run at Cinema Nouveau Rosebank screened by Jameson's from 16 September this year. Tickets can be purchased at the cinema or online www.sterkinekor.com. Bookings opened on 9 September and can be made via Ticketline on 082 16789.
