by Thinus Ferreira
The Hluma Film Festival in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province will take place from 14 November in Pietermaritzburg with a slate of 16 films and seven panel discussions.
The film festival, previously known as the uMgungundlovu Film Festival, will take place on 14 and 15 November at the Voortrekker Museum and Bessie Head Library under this year's theme of "Where truth is planted, our lens finds the light".
As with South Africa's other film festivals, the Hluma Film Festival focuses on "African stories while creating opportunities for filmmakers, students, industry professionals and the public to engage with the people and ideas shaping South Africa's film industry, as well as the challenges it faces".
Portia Ndudane, Hluma Film Festival director, says "Our stories deserve to be seen, heard and experienced".
"Film connects people across generations, preserves our truths and opens conversations that might otherwise remain unheard. The Hluma Film Festival is committed to nurturing emerging storytellers and creating opportunities for our communities to participate in the film industry".
The Hluma Film Festival opens on 14 November with Ikhaya Lami starring Sibusiso Sithole, Zamuntu Khoza, Mnqobi Kunene, Thandeka Ndenza, Phindi Phewa and Bhekani Shabalala and is directed by KwaZulu-Natal filmmaker Ayanda Makhanya.
The festival closes on 15 November with 6 Queens and 6 Kings, directed by Limpopo filmmaker Molatelo Bossman.
The 16 films which are part of this year's line-up include Ikhaya Lami (directed by Ayanda Makhanya), Tomasi (directed by Portia Mncwabe), Hot Plate (directed by Shadie Mphaphuli), Mayfair (directed by Neo Leonardo Mokoena), The Deep Well (directed by Alphonse Menyo), Polyamorous US (directed by Mantile Malehu M), Zebra Crossing (directed by James Robert Whitelaw), Remember Their Names (directed by Sihle Hlophe), Kedibonye (directed by Itumeleng Durvie Morake), Nongqawuse (directed by Sipho Dee Zena), The Spring (directed by Teodoro Francesco Liberto), Beyond Memory (directed by Nhlanhla Sphilele Thusini), Enclosed (directed by Fulufhelo Nemalili), Echoes of the Cursed Son (directed by Sbongikuhle Kunene), Letter to Society (produced by O’larato Masalesa), as well as 6 Queens and 6 Kings, directed by Molatelo Bossman.
Panel discussions at the Hluma Film Festival range from sessions covering industry funding and accessing industry support and opportunities, to looking at female leadership and representation in film, production pressures, new pathways for film distribution, and also a panel session looking at the mental health and emotional realities of acting.
