iBalaclava takes Best Short Fiction Film at Jozi Film Festival

iBalaclava, a low-budget short film made in Du Noon township, Cape Town, largely by a team of young film makers from a local church, came out tops at the Second Annual Jozi Film Festival held on the 15th – 17th February 2013.

The Festival culminated in an awards ceremony at the Villa Arcadia in Parktown hosted by comedian, John Vlismas. iBalaclava shared the award for ‘Best Short Fiction Film’ with ‘My Room at the Centre of the Universe’.

“I was so surprised. It was awesome winning the prize,” said delighted first time director, Nevil Sandama,

Kliptown screening
One of the highlights of the film festival for Sandama, Producer Howard James Fyvie and Associate Producer Laurian Guy, was a screening of iBalaclava to over 300 locals in Kliptown, Soweto at a pop up cinema. iBalaclava also played at the Bioscope Independent Cinema in the Maboneng Precinct. The Kliptown viewers sat with eyes glued to the screen as they watched iBalaclava and the Oscar nominated student film Kanye Kanye. Set in the Du Noon township in Cape Town, iBalaclava is a gripping drama that tells the story of two brothers trying to survive in a community filled with gangsterism and poverty.

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iBalaclava is part of a local film project by a bunch of young film makers who embarked on a journey of film, producing three short films that showcase some of South Africa’s exciting new talent. The project was spearheaded by Joshua Generation Church’s Film and Media team, the Film Kru. The team was made up of many first time film makers and was produced on a budget of under R8000! They got together and invested their time, creativity and passion into making modern day parables that show the love of God to local movie goers. Over 300 volunteers were involved in the project – pouring their hearts and passion into every area, including the film making, post production, graphics, event co-ordination and every other aspect involved in pulling a project of this size together. Headed up by the up and coming film maker, Howard James Fyvie, the teams were given extensive training throughout the project.

When the time came for the first screening of iBalaclava nothing beat a venue in Du Noon itself. A local high school Inkwenkwezi High, partnered with Joshua Generation Church to host a Youth Fun Day on the June 16, 2012 (Youth Day) ending off with the first screening to the local community. The momentum continued for iBalaclava at the Love Bombs Film Festival at The Labia on Orange from August 2 to 9, 2012. Over 2 000 movie goers attended the event and Nevil and the team had an opportunity to share about their experiences of creating this dramatic film to a sold out crowd. After the huge success of this festival, The Love Bombs went back for the Encore on September 14 and 15.

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In addition to the premier festival, the films caused a stir in the local press. Newspapers like the Tygerberger and Table Talk featured both The Youth Day Festival and The Love Bombs Film Festival. Added to this, the film makers were interviewed by renowned South African film maker, Barry Ronge, for Sunday Night at the Movies on Talk Radio 702 and have been interviewed several times on CCFM Radio Station. SABC 2’s highest rated youth magazine program, Hectic 9 nine, also had Nevil and the team in studio for their movie themed show.
Film makers are excited about the journey so far, but keep holding onto their seats for the next step in the adventure. More information about iBalaclava and the trailers, are available on www.lovebombs.co.za.