So you want to make a movie? Whether you’re an aspiring actor, director, producer, camera operator, scriptwriter, focus puller, makeup artist, grip or spark – or don’t know what any of those people do to help make a movie, but you know you have a story to tell - the Joburg Film Festival’s Youth & Audience Development Program is helping aspiring film enthusiasts find their inspiration.
The final instalment of the Joburg Film Festival’s (JFF) Youth & Audience Development Program (YAD) takes place this weekend (14 & 15 January) in Braamfontein. It features amazing masterclasses run by South African director, actress, singer, dancer and voice artist Ferry Jele and the team behind the Fak’ugesi Festival. Facilitated in association with Africa’s most-loved storyteller, MultiChoice, YAD is a powerful opportunity for communities to connect with film and gain invaluable insights into the world of film production from some of Africa’s best film production talent – all for free.
Ferry Jele has starred in a host of TV series over the course of her near-three decade career. Most recently, she was on DStv screens as The River’s Veronica, but she’s also made star turns on Inkaba, Jacob’s Cross and Legacy. She has three South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) for Best Supporting Actress and she won a SAFTA for B’est Achievement in Directing’ in 2020.
The Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival showcases the heart of African culture, creativity and technology. For a decade, the Festival has been rooted in showcasing and developing skills in technology, art and culture in Africa.
Catering for both filmmakers – across all aspects of the production process – and performers, the two-day YAD program comprises skills development and empowerment workshops, masterclasses and acting workshops for young people bursting to tell stories in their own way – capped by the screening of a world-class local film that showcases the power of African storytelling.
For more information on the Joburg Film Festival, follow JFF on Twitter @JoburgFilmFest, Facebook and Instagram.