THE SOIL to be featured on Halle Berry movie

The award-winning accapela group, The Soil, has secured a placement for one of the tracks on their debut self-titled album on an international film starring Halle Berry (Dark Tide).  

The Soil’s composition ‘Sedilaka’ will feature in the body of the film for just over 2 minutes. Dark Tide was shot in the UK and in South Africa (Simonstown and Seal Island) and is pegged for international release in November 2011. The film also stars Oliver Martinez as well as local actors Sizwe Msutu and Thoko Ntshinga.

The Soil comprises of three young accapela singers from Soweto namely, Buhlebendalo Mda, Ntsika Ngxanga and Luphindo Ngxanga. The Soil is signed to Native Rhythms Productions and Sony Music.

Generations axes the Khumalo duo

Thabiso Mokhethi & Kagiso Rakosa
(Samuel & Sharon Khumalo)

No more Sam, No more Sharon!!!

Well... I, for one won't miss 'Sharon' - I don't know whether she has lost her touch or whether I am used to seeing her everyday but... there's just that one but - A VERY BIG BUTT *No pun intended*... So, good move director! But I'm sure she'll find something soon... *sniff sniff*

Uhm.... Sam, on the other hand neh? Well, I'll miss him simply coz he is such a character.

Ok... let's get down to facts.......

After several years on millions of South African viewers’ television screens, the characters of Sharon and Samuel Khumalo in SABC1’s popular daily drama Generations will come to an end. Due to the nature of a long-running series, the time has come to once again introduce fresh talent to the series.
Samuel (played by Thabiso Mokhethi) and Sharon (played by Kagiso Rakosa) will be on viewers’ screens until the second half of December 2011. Their storylines promise to be captivating as they face new challenges and difficult choices.

Mfundi Vundla, Generations executive producer comments: “The series will continue to pioneer the discovery, nurturing and development of young talent and in doing so continue to deliver cutting-edge and innovative stories”.

Vukile Madlala, Publicity Manager of SABC1 extends his thanks and best wishes to Thabiso and Kagiso. “Their characters will be missed on ‘Generations’, but they will remain SABC1 ambassadors and part of the SABC1 family. The channel is excited about the introduction of new characters and the development of new talent in ‘Generations’, ensuring that the series remains the daily drama of choice for millions of Mzansi’s viewers.”

First Wednesday Film Club Presents "HOW TO STEAL 2 MILLION"

"HOW TO STEAL 2 MILLION"

Year                :   2011

Director           :   Charlie Vundla

Duration          :   88 Min

Synopsis:

Jack is released from a five year prison sentence for robbery, a crime he committed with Twala, who was never caught because Jack never talked. Planning to go straight and set up his own business, Jack soon discovers that getting a loan is easier said than done. When the two friends meet again, Twala has the solution to Jack's problems.

Director

Charlie Vundla

Cast

Menzi Ngubane

Rapulana Seiphemo

Terry Pheto

Hlubi Mboya

John Kani

 

Director Charlie Vundla will be present at the screening as part of the FWFC (First Wednesday Film Club). There will be a Q&A session afterwards. The screening and refreshments are free of charge. First come, first seated!

Charlie Vundla

The First Wednesday Film Club will screen the film at 7:30pm. Atlas Studios is situated at 33, Frost Avenue (Corner Frost/Owl), Johannesburg.

The 48 Hour Film Project comes to Johannesburg

The world’s largest timed filmmaking competition, the 48 Hour Film Project, has announced that its 2011 tour will tear through Johannesburg from 2 to 4 September, challenging filmmakers to complete the entire filmmaking process – from writing and casting to shooting and editing – in a mere 48 hours. With the help of the Gauteng Film Commission (GFC), Johannesburg filmmakers will join a record 2 500 filmmaking teams worldwide – a total of 35,000 people - expected to take part in the competition, relying on inspiration, adrenaline, and lots of coffee to complete short films of up to seven minutes in only two sleepless days.





Filmmaking teams of all levels begin at 7pm on a Friday and deliver a finished 4 to 7 minute film by 7pm Sunday. Each team is assigned a genre, character, prop, and line of dialogue that they must work into their film. They are responsible for putting together a cast and crew, and getting equipment and anything else necessary to make a film/video in just a weekend. Any team, regardless of skill level, is eligible to participate in this competition.

The Johannesburg 48HFP will also host free filmmaking workshops at the Goethe Institute to level the playing field for all entrants. These will include various film disciplines conducted by industry professional such as acclaimed Isidingo actress Hlubi Mboya and NFVF's script writing lecturer, Loyiso Manqoma.



Films will be screened for the public on 17 and 18 September at Nu-Metro Hyde Park, where the audience will select their favourite film. The winners will then be in the running for top honours at Filmapalooza, the 48 Hour Film Project’s annual awards event honouring the year’s top films, which will form part of the Taos Shortz Film Fest in Taos, New Mexico. Films will also compete to be among 14 films to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner in 2012.


For more information on how to participate in Johannesburg’s competition or to attend Johannesburg's screening, please visit: www.48hourfilm.com/johannesburg


(SCREEN AFRICA)

ONE GOSPEL 'SHINE' TALENT SEARCH

 

One Gospel’s SHINE talent search is back! Join SHINE presenter Fezile Makhanya as he travels to four regions across South Africa to find the ultimate winner. Auditions start from the 4^th of August 2011 until the 4^th of September, and the show will begin broadcasting on the 4^th September from 18h00.

 

The first 8 episodes of the show will feature the community auditions and show all the joy, drama, tears and praise that happen at such emotive events. The regional episodes also feature the most beautiful sights and sounds from across the region giving viewers at home an opportunity to explore and discover our beautiful country from the comfort of their homes.

In the final episodes we follow the 9 finalists on their journey of self-discovery as they compete for the grand prize: a two record album deal and the chance to shine!

The Judges will choose two (2) finalists from each region (8) in total plus a wild card contestant who will travel to ONE Gospel studios in joburg to participate in the knock out rounds. Every Sunday perfomers will need to impress judges and studio to stay in the competition. Finalists will be eliminated at the end of each episode and in the final episode, judges and studio audience will vote for overall winner.

The auditions kick off in Mamelodi, Pretoria on the 4th of August and the crew will travel to Soweto, Durban and end in Cape Town at the end of the month. Registration for all the venues is now open and details on how to enter can be found at www.facebook.com/onegospel

AUDITION DATES & CITIES:

·         4^th – 6^th August 2011    (Mamelodi – Pretoria)

·         10^th – 13^th August 2011   (Soweto)

·         18^th – 20^th August 2011   (Umlazi – Durban)

·         25^th & 26^th August 2011   (Tygerberg Radio)

Be sure not to miss the premiere of SHINE on ONE Gospel, Channel  331, only on DStv on Sunday 4 September, 2011 at 6pm. 

To register look out for the SHINE sms line and follow the instructions or find out more through the media partners:

·         Daily Sun

·         Gagasi FM

·         Radio Tygerberg

·         Impact Radio

Sibikwa Arts Centre seeks Artistic Director

The Sibikwa Arts Centre, an NGO based in Benoni, seeks to employ an Artistic Director to take over from the current Director.

The Centre is one of the largest and most successful multi-disciplinary art centres in South Africa. With a good track record of 23 years, Sibikwa has been recognized as a centre of excellence by the Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture and MAPPP–SETA.
The Artistic Director is responsible for conceiving, developing and implementing the artistic and educational vision and focus of Sibikwa and reports to the Board of Directors.

The suitably qualified candidate must have:
- A minimum of ten years’ experience within the field;
- An arts degree;
- Excellent communication and writing skills essential for the position;
- Expertise in a leadership role, inclusive of people management;
- Expertise in financial management including fund raising and income generation; and
- Actively engaged within the community arts sector.

Some national and international travelling could be required. Appropriate coaching in the role will be provided. The chosen candidate must be available from 1 September 2011 or sooner. A competitive remuneration will be paid to the successful candidate who is appointed to the role.
CV’s must be submitted to sibikwa@iafrica.com or faxed to 011 421 2346. Three contactable references must accompany submitted CV’s.

The closing date for submission of CV’s is 29 July 2011.

2011 edition of Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition

South Africa’s leading music industry market, Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition, takes place from August 31st to September 2nd at  Sci Bono Centre in Johannesburg’s Newtown precinct.  This year’s event includes a conference (aimed at imparting music business skills and knowledge), live music showcases, a mini-film festival themed around music and an exhibition of services and products in the music industry.

With a strong emphasis on current digital music trends - both nationally and internationally - and a diverse range of skilled speakers drawn from the global music industry, Moshito 2011 is an essential event for anyone involved in the business of music.  Visit - www.moshito.co.za for additional information and updates, booking details & more on Moshito 2011.

The Film Factory makes a nationwide call for screenplays

The Film Factory is putting out a nation-wide call for feature film screenplays. We are looking for any language, any genre and any budget screenplays for consideration by Head of Development, Henk Pretorius.

If you have a screenplay but no production platform, this is potentially a great opportunity for collaboration.

Please send your screenplay in PDF format to submissions@thefilmfactory.co.za.

The deadline is 31 July 2011.

Contact Information:
For inquiries: submissions@thefilmfactory.co.za

For submissions: submissions@thefilmfactory.co.za

Website: http://www.thefilmfactory.co.za/

AKA drops his much anticipated album

Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA, will release his hotly anticipated debut solo album, Alter Ego, at the end of this month.

Featuring hip hop heavyweights such as HHP, Tumi, Amu, Khuli Chana and Pro, as well as top comedian Loyiso Gola, the 17-track album justifies the long wait hip hop fans have endured for the rapper’s full length work. It has taken the flamboyant wordsmith over six years to release a solo album, since starting out in 2004 with a group called Entity. The 23-year-old star says this has helped him to build a solid foundation for his blossoming career.

“I’m a perfectionist; I had to satisfy myself first. I felt that I had to grow up a bit and I went to study, I got a job and I quit later when I knew that I was ready to resume my musical career.”

AKA, who has worked with almost every noteworthy name in the local hip hop scene, adds that the album is “personal, and people will get a better opportunity to understand me and my music. In my opinion, it’s the best SA hip hop album of the year.”

The offering is entirely produced by top music production crew IV League, and its lead single, “Victory Lap”, was an instant chart success early this year, topping Metro FM Charts for five consecutive weeks. Having been actively involved in the production of the album, AKA says he is confident that fans will be impressed by his sparkling form and sincerity. “We never make music with the goal of "making a hit". We just do the best we can, and our best is pretty good,” he adds.

 


Preparing fans for the album, the rapper recently released a music video for “All I Know”, one of the most enjoyable songs on the disk. In addition to this song, AKA says fans should “also look forward to my favourite songs "Snakes And Ladders" and “Bang" (featuring Khuli Chana).”
As a member of the highly prolific IV League, AKA has produced hits for a host of local acts, including Proverb, Maggz, JR and Loyiso Bala. At the age of 16 the self-proclaimed “new kid on the block” was nominated for a prestigious Kora Award and in 2009 won a Hype Award for Best Newcomer.  (MIO)

Mzansi Magic calls for project submissions in KZN

The home of local South African television programming - Mzansi Magic - is calling for project submissions on low budget feature film projects from KwaZulu-Natal to be developed into 60 - 90 minute films and to be aired on the channel. Submission deadline is 15 July 2011.

With Mzansi Magic’s focus still firmly set on boosting the local film industry, the channel has collaborated with the Durban Film Office (DFO) on this project and the DFO will facilitate the call for submissions. The DFO is the film industry development arm of the City of Durban, operating under the auspices of Economic Development Unit of eThekwini Municipality.

“The DFO has prioritised the development of emerging filmmakers with programmes such as the Producers Lab, which is an incubation programme for film sector SMMES in partnership with the SmartXchange Technology and Innovation Hub.  Facilitating this call out for Mzansi Magic is a continuation of our efforts to develop young filmmakers in Durban”, states Toni Monty, Acting C.E.O of the DFO.

Mzansi Magic will consider commissioning ten projects for development based on the caliber of projects submitted. Mzansi Magic’s Channel Manager Lebone Maema and Nirvana Singh, Commissioning Editor say “Selected projects will have the opportunity to hone their scriptwriting skills by participating in script development workshops facilitated by Yizo, Yizo 1 and 2 co-creator/writer and Jerusalema associate producer, Mtutuzeli Matshoba and stand a chance to be made into a Mzansi Magic feature movie”.

Filmmakers should submit the following in order for their projects to be considered:

1.      Title page

2.      1-3 page synopsis

3.      Complete screenplays will be a definite advantage.
The title page of the project must show the Story Title, the name of the author, author's ID and Contact details (Please do not decorate the title page)

Please note that submissions must be in Mzansi Magic offices by 16h00, 15 July 2011.
Please submit to:

Nirvana.Singh@mnet.co.za and Moloisi.Mabeba@mnet.co.za

Or Mail to

Magic Centre Reception

137 Bram Fischer Ave, Ransburg, 2194, Johannesburg, Gauteng

For more information, please contact:

Musonda Chimba at the Durban Film Office: chimbam@durban.gov.za and/or via telephone on               031 311 4248         031 311 4248 Or Moloisi Mabeba at Mzansi Magic:Moloisi.Mabeba@mnet.co.za and/or via telephone on               011-686 6000         011-686 6000.

Mzansi Magic – DSTV channel 107- is a proudly South African, locally focused, general entertainment channel. It is available to MultiChoice subscribers on DStv Premium, DStv Compact and DStv Select bouquets.

(ScreenAfrica)

Caster Semenya doc on TopTV

Too Fast To Be A Woman: The Caster Semena Story, the heart-rending and uplifting real life story of a young woman who overcame incredible odds to become one of the world’s best athletes only to find that her biggest challenges still lay ahead, will broadcast on TopTV’s Fox FX (Channel 110) on 9 July at 20:30 CAT.

As Semenya achieved her dream of winning the 800m World Championship in 2009, rumours of a failed gender test spread. A vicious and voyeuristic media storm erupted and Caster's triumph was turned into public humiliation.

With exclusive access, this film follows the shy teenager from a remote South African village as she struggles to come to terms with what has happened and fights to return to competition. With the support of her family and a top legal team, Caster takes the fight to the IAAF, the world's leading body for the sport of athletics.

As international lawyers and eminent scientists thrash out what it means to be a woman, the 19-year-old at the centre of the storm wants only to run.

(ScreenAfrica)