Ugandan entries invited for Jozi film Festival

A new opportunity has opened for Uganda's budding film industry to shine on the continent at the all new Jozi (Johannesburg) Film Festival Award category, in partnership with Discovery Channel.

 

The Jozi Film Festival (JFF) which is now in its sixth edition has opened for entries such as feature films, short fiction films, documentaries (both short and long) as well as student films.

 

For the first time, the Jozi Film Festival will have a new category dubbed the "Discovery Channel Don't Stop Wondering Award" which will reward the best 2-5 minute documentaries from filmmakers across Africa which showcase and celebrate unique African stories and capture Discovery's ethos of sparking curiosity.

 

This is an Africa-wide search for filmmaking talent that carries a cash prize from Discovery Channel of $5,000 (about sh18m) for the final winner to go towards their next filming project. Entry is free and multiple entries are welcome.

 

Speaking about the Jozi Film Festival to the New Vision, Jayat Maru, a Ugandan film maker said: "Film is like art. This is an opportunity to show one's film to an international audience. The more exposure a film gets at an international film festival, the more likely it is to get a very good distribution deal. I will see if I have some good material to submit." 

 

Lee Hobbs, VP of Brand & Content, Discovery Networks CEEMEA said: "For over 30 years Discovery has been satisfying curiosity, breaking ground with high-quality factual entertainment programming that inspires and entertains audiences around the world."

 

He added: "Discovery Channel's Don't Stop Wondering brand positioning is a call to action; a challenge to always remain curious and celebrate the value of treading your own path,

 

"Through this new partnership with the Jozi Film Festival, we hope to discover films that showcase what curiosity means to individuals today, all shot within a contemporary African context, and celebrate the continent's remarkable filmmaking talent."

 

The Top 10 films as selected by a JFF and Discovery jury will be broadcast on Discovery Channel in July and August, and later at the sixth annual Jozi Film Festival in September.

 

The winning film will be selected by popular vote via the voting tool on Discovery's website: www.discoverychannelafrica.com and the winner will be flown to Johannesburg, South Africa to receive their prize at the Jozi Film Festival awards to be held on 24 September 2017.

 

Entrants must be 18 years or older and must reside on the African continent. Submissions for this category open at 12:00 on 6 February 2017 and close at 18:00 on 31 May 2017. For more information on how to submit to JFF2017, please visit www.jozifilmfestival.co.za or www.DiscoveryChannelAfrica.com