Fourth Cape Town World Cinema Festival

The CTWCF is the only film and television event of its kind in Africa. It will showcase over 110 feature films, shorts and documentaries screening at the Artscape Theatre, Cinema Nouveau at the V&A Waterfront, the V&A Amphitheatre and the Labia Theatre, amongst others.

CEO & Festival Director Michael Auret says: "The 2005 Festival will be completely different to last year. It is my objective to increase audience participation in the Festival and grow audiences for film. For instance we have included Leon Schuster's latest slapstick comedy Mama Jack. If by doing this more people look at the programme and go to other films, then we will have achieved something."

Auret says Cape Town will emulate the traditions of the Cannes Film Festival and the FESPACO Film Festival in Ouagadougou, the oldest film festival in Africa, in not only honouring the best from Africa but also the whole world. Indeed the wide range of films will include movies from Angola, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Japan, China, even Vietnam.

Auret adds: "The bling and glamour of the Oscars is reflected in the 2 daily Red Carpet Screenings of the movies that are in contention for the Annual Awards. These are held at 18h00 and 20h00 at Artscape. There actually is a red carpet, flashing cameras and screaming fans.The Red Carpet Screenings culminate in the Gala Awards night on 19 November 2005.

Sithengi Film and Television Market runs concurrent to the CTWCF. This is where producers, directors, broadcasters, distributors and actors come from all over the world to network and make deals. It is agreed by all major stakeholders that the annual Sithengi Film & TV Market has, since its inception been instrumental in building the international credentials of South African and African films.

At Artscape from 12 to 18 November 50 talents comprising registered film students and aspirant filmmakers from South Africa and Africa have been selected to participate in the second annual Sithengi Talent Campus. The highlight of the campus will be a Master Class led by acclaimed Argentinean New Wave filmmaker Lita Stantic.

All the details of the Cape Town World Cinema Festival, including screening dates and venues and information on the Sithengi Film and Television Market can be found on the Sithengi website: www.sithengi.co.za.