by Thinus Ferreira
kykNET has decided not to hold its annual film festival in 2021 due to the ongoing Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic and will now rather do a roll-over with the 10th Silwerskermfees set for a week in late March 2022 at its usual berth at the Bay Hotel in Camps Bay, Cape Town.
kykNET has been silent for months about what's happening with its Silwerskermfees this year that usually takes place during August, not responding to media queries about it, and having been asked about it consistently by TVwithThinus this year; the last time in late October.
The 9th kykNET Silwerskermfees last took place as an in-person event in August 2019. It was then followed by an online webinar series in 2020 because of the global Covid-19 pandemic although it was never officially recognised as the 10th edition of the film festival seen as South Africa's "Cannes in Cape Town".
Besides the cancellation of 2021's Silwerskermfees, the MultiChoice Group and M-Net scrapped plans this year for both the 2021 African Magic Viewers' Choice Awards in Lagos, Nigeria and the 2021 DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards in Johannesburg because of Covid-19.
The 10th Silwerskermfees will take the form of a "vibrant hybrid format" according to the organisers, with kykNET saying that its film festival will "maintain the festival's signature glitz, glam and prestige while allowing a much broader audience to enjoy the films and festivities".
The 10th Silwerskermfees as a hybrid event will see the debut of at least five local feature films and more than 17 short films produced with the festival's ongoing mentorship.
The festival will also include more international guests sharing their knowledge and skills, and the new films will be eligible for the prestigious Silwerskerm Film Festival awards. The finalised programme for the 10th kykNET Silwerskermfees film festival will be available early in 2022.
In partnership with the City of Cape Town, the 10th kykNET Silwerskermfees film festival will play out simultaneously at its usual home – the Bay Hotel in Camps Bay, Cape Town – and virtually on the Silwerskerm website, where movie lovers will have access to the same feature film world premieres, short films and industry discussions.
The 10th Silwerskermfees will still be observing strict Covid-19 protocols and will allow only a limited number of guests at the Bay Hotel's Rotunda although anyone with internet access will be able to watch the festival offerings online.
Some of the feature films from
the 10th Silwerskermfees' festival programme will also be screened at selected movie theatres and other
venues in Cape Town.
The revenue from the small fee of the virtual
festival as well as income earned from ticket sales at public venues will go to the Tribuo Fund which was created to assist entertainers suffering a loss of income due to the Covid-19
pandemic in South Africa.
"We look forward to hosting the milestone anniversary festival in an on-trend hybrid fashion for the first time," says Suzaan Keyter, kykNET spokesperson.
The film festival's website has been updated with an extensive archive, featuring the more than 50 movies and 160 short films that premiered at the festival since its inception in 2011.
