All you need to know for DIFF 2019

The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) presented by the Centre for Creative Arts, Universitty of KwaZulu-Nata has launched its programme for its 40th

edition which takes place from 18 to 28 July 2019 at various venues around Durban, South Africa.

Knuckle City

The DIFF, together with the 10th Durban FilmMart (DFM), the industry development programme in partnership with the eThekwini Municipality’s Durban Film

Office, bring a combined 50 years of film to film-lovers and its hard-working creative industry.

The opening film of the festival is by acclaimed South African director Jahmil X. T. Qubeka’s. Knuckle City  is a riveting exploration of the psychology of a fighter from

the Mdantsane township of South Africa. Produced and edited by award-winning Layla Swart of Yellowbone Entertainment, together with Mzansi Magic.

“We are very excited to be opening our 40th edition with this gritty raw film by Jahmil” says Chipo Zhou, Festival Manager. “This is a film which we believe

will do very well as a cinema release, with boxing as the means to tell a the story, but its muti-layered narrative will resonate much deeper with audiences than what it appears at first. ”

In Qubeka’s words “It is my intention to capture the essence of life in Mdantsane and the restless pursuit of being a champion within a society that often dictates you are a failure. I am determined with this film to give audiences a glimpse into a world rarely seen, and a deeper understanding of the multi-faceted individuals inhabiting our land.”

The Jury

 The DIFF programme includes 150 films from around the globe, comprising 74 feature films, 25 documentaries and 90 shorts; a community outreach programme, the Wavescapes Surf Film festival with 19 films focussed on surfing and water culture, the Isiphethu Hub a free industry programme for entry-level and emerging filmmakers, and the DFM for intermediate and professional filmmakers which includes the Talents Durban in partnership with the Berlin International Film Festival, a one-day Durban Does Docs documentary conference, a free Creative Corner which offers insights into costumes, make-up and set design, a finance forum for pre-selected film projects to pitch to potential investors and the like, and a full programme of master classes, workshops and seminars.

This year the inaugural Locations Africa Expo and Conference will happen as part of Durban FilmMart. It aims to highlight filming locations in Durban and Africa.

Kasala

Feature films that are in competition this year include a meta-cinema work by director South African directed Roger Young, Love Runs Out, Angus Gibson’s

Back of the Moon (South Africa) set in Sophiatown in 1958, Cronofobia (Switzerland) directed by Francesco Rizzi a psychological drama about suspended

identity; a Brazilian drama Divine Love (Divino Amor) directed by Gabriel Mascaro tells the story registry office clerk who uses her position at the births,

deaths and marriages department to try to dissuade couples from getting a divorce.

Everything must fall

Riccardo Salvetti’s Rwanda: The Untold Story, (Italy) offers a new take

on the Rwandan genocide, through the first person experience, using live dramatic performance, intertwined with filmic reality; Tchaiko Omawale’s Solace

(USA) is a moving and artful portrait of a smart, driven, and self- destructive teenage orphan struggling to find her place; Vai (New Zealand) by director

Marina Alofagia McCartney is a portmanteau feature film by 9 female Pacific filmmakers. Chinese auteur, Zhang Wei’s The Rib is about the strained

relationship between a young man wanting a sex change operation, and his Christian father; Nigerian film Mokalik directed by Kunle Afolayan follows an

11-year-old boy from the middle-class suburbs who spends the day as a lowly apprentice at a mechanic workshop in order to view life from the other side

of the tracks.

Free Our Bodies

Some of the documentaries in competition include South Africa director Nicole Schafer’s Buddha in Africa, which recently opened the Encounters Film

Festival, Anbessa (Italy/USA) directed by Mo Scarpelli, a coming-of-age story that captures a boy taking on modernization, Maya Newell’s, In My Blood it

Runs (Australia), about an Aboriginal boy whose traditional skills are of no value within the modern education system. Fatma Riahi’s A Haunted Past (Qatar) is a personal portrait of a broken Tunisian-Bosnian family as ex-prisoner and ex-jihadist. Hamada (Sweden) by director Eloy Domínguez Serén, is a humorous, bittersweet portrait of three uncompromising twentysomethings cut off from the world in a refugee camp; Edward Watts and Waad al-Kateab’s For Sama (UK/USA/Syria) takes an intimate look at one young woman's struggles with love, war and motherhood. Mother I am Suffocating. This Is My Last Film About You by Lesotho filmmaker Mosese Lemohang Jeremiah, is an extended, poetic letter to the protagonist’s mother and motherland. Sara de Gouveia, The Sounds of Masks (SA/Portugal) follows a compelling storyteller and legendary Mozambiquan masked dancer. My Friend, Fela (Brazil) directed by Joel Zito Araujo, explores the life of legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. A Girl in Return (Denmark) directed by Katrine W.Kjaer, an intimate tale about what happens when an adopted teenage girl decides to reclaim her lost identity.

Noah Wise

“We are pleased to announce that once again, the winner in the documentary competition will automatically qualify for consideration for nomination for

an Academy Award,” says Zhou.

Spokie Gaan Huis Toe

Venues this year include Suncoast Cine Centre, Musgrave Ster Kinekor, Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, Denis Hurley Centre, EKhaya Multi-Arts Centre, Max’s

Lifestyle, Ohlange Museum, Tate’s Kasi Grill, Artizen Lounge, KZNSA, Bay of Plenty Lawns (Wavescapes Opening), Ushaka Marine World, Luthuli Museum, K-cap and

Garden Court.

Back of the Moon

The full programme will go online at the end of June 2019.

For more info go to ccadiff.ukzn.ac.za/ or follow on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

To register for Durban FilmMart visit www.durbanfilmmart.co.za

#DIFF2019

Images courtesy DIFF. 

This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton

5 Tips To Help You Find Love This Valentine's Day

Digital Oxytocin, Does Your Business Have It?

The Love Hormone & The D.O Effect

Oxytocin. Now there’s a thing. A powerful human hormone that caps as a neurotransmitter in the brain. It’s arguably the most popular of hormones in the neighbourhood, because it triples up as the bonding hormone, the trust hormone and the security hormone that keeps your relationship pretty much on the V.I.P list.  

The question is: does your business do the same? Digital Oxytocin, or fondly dubbed as The D.O Effect, is an instant user experience that benchmarks the initial bonding stage between consumer and brand. Just like the “love hormone” of the brain, Digital Oxytocin is the chemistry responsible for attracting your audience, exciting your audience and making your audience stick around for more.  

When it comes to designing websites, an ‘exceptional digital experience’ should be Number 1 on your strategy list. Getting your D.O levels correct in business, has everything to do with amplifying the user journey online, and focussing on human behaviour as the brand goal towards delivering a compelling brand-consumer relationship.

The D.O Effect is a guaranteed game changer, and can be divided into 5 superior impact

touch points that will help you land the ‘love’, first time round.

# 1: Know What They Want: Intuitive design is real my friends. Knowing what your audience wants before they do is not a skill, it’s a design strategy - and it could save your bottom line. Intuitive design is quite simply, a matter of meeting your online customer’s needs seamlessly, without an interrupted experience. The idea of answering all your customer’s questions before they ask, is D.O gold. Ask yourself: what is the task and can my customer complete it effectively? 

# 2:  Don’t Make Them Work for It: If you’re running a ‘bookings’ business, for example, and your objective is to sell as many tickets online in a short space of time, make it easy. Simple = Satisfaction. You’ll want to tell your user what to buy, what it looks like, why to buy it and how to buy it in a few easy taps. Airline and Accommodation brands like travelstart.co.za and Airbnb.com respectively have improved their D.O Effect for now, with an easy-flow experience that makes browsing pleasurable, the price-compare experience simple and ensures the user feels secure and at ease from check in to check out.   

  

#3: Don’t Talk “Responsive” On the First Date: Or the second date. Or the third. Sadly, the term ‘Responsive Websites’ in business, has become as misunderstood as finding true love on the first swipe right. “Responsive Websites” means cross-screen compatibility – NOT necessarily cross-screen user-journey. The proverbial ‘cookie cut’ desktop approach is a fail in web design. Just because your site is ‘responsive’ across mobile or tablet devices doesn’t mean it meets the needs of the user. The truth is, you can’t have a responsive website without a memorable user journey. They need to exist together. If you want your customer to land on your website and stay, then your aim should be to have a ‘mobile first’ strategy in mind from the get go, to support your ‘responsive website.’

Consider this: if there are 3.7 billion unique users online globally (as at Jan 2018) and 49.7% are attributed to webpage viewing then you cannot, cannot, cannot purely rely on desktop stacking your website design. Design your website with a compelling mobile user experience in mind, FIRST – a design strategy that mirrors the same intuitive experience across all devices.

# 4: Spice It Up: Digital seduction is a key design strategy for Digital Oxytocin effectiveness. How to keep your user from straying? A. Your overall web design should be simple, balanced and aligned to your brand CI. B. Choosing a typeface that is easy on the eye and has a clear weight hierarchy is also must. C. To increase your chances on the D.O circuit, make sure to include visual imagery and video too. D. Whatever you do, DO NOT include  User Interface Animation (U.I) just because you think it looks or sounds cool. Nobody likes an “over-tryer”! Make sure U.I is only created for the purpose of enhancing the user experience, and not just for art’s sake.

# 5: You Have 3 Seconds. Go.: Quality, sex appeal and good conversation pretty much sums up the Richter scale of relationship “wants”.  Your brand has to present the same – and it only has 3 seconds online to determine whether your customer stays or strays. Your landing page should load and lure in your user within a 3 second speed span – telling them promptly that they’ve landed in the right place. Too much guess work on this one and you’ll risk losing them to Joe Soap in the adjacent tab. With an average of 200 ads being served to a user per day disruption is the new digital disease, and makes for a highly competitive landscape to play in. We recommend keeping your 3-second game plan strong.

SO….

Don’t let your plans of www domination stop at design. All things considered, the user journey should be high on the objectives list when it comes to strategising in the online space. Get your user to cuddle up to your brand by marrying form, functionality and intuitive strategy. It’s a non-negotiable. Your business just can’t afford the shortcomings of a negative user experience. Talk to So Interactive, a respected and seasoned digital studio based in Johannesburg, about your place in the market and establishing the touch points that will move your brand forward with Digital Oxytocin.

For more info visit: www.sointeractive.co.za 

Media Enquiries: Jacqueline Freer (info@jacquelinefreer.com)

#DigitalOxytocin 

Review of Ellie and the book of Rebus

This week I was invited to review the new book ‘Ellie and the book of Rebus’ a fantasy book which explores the world of Ellie a princess from the past.

She meets magical friends and is destined for great things. Look out for witches, ancient beings, powerful legends and much more.

Author Christine Clarence

It’s written by Durban Author Christine Clarence. This is her first novel and is part of the Axillion series. So look out for more books on the way soon.

I must say I was pleasantly surprised and the book certainly takes you on a journey. Before long you will have lost yourself in the world of Ellie and her adventures.

If you love books like ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Dark Tower’ you will love this magical journey.

The book is on special for #BlackFriday and it’s also the perfect Christmas gift for that someone special.

It’s available at the KZNSA in Bulwer Road, Durban and at Ike’s Books and Collectibles, 48a in Florida Road, Durban.

If you prefer the online route you can also grab it on Amazon or find it on Gumroad at http://gum.co/ellieandthebookofrebus

Like the Author’s Facebook page on www.facebook.com/ChristineClarenceAuthor

Let me know what you think of it by posting on social media using the hashtag #EllieAndTheBookOfRebus

This review by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton 

Durban International Film Festival 2016 - Call For Entries

The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) invites filmmakers from around the world to submit their Short-Documentary or Feature Films to screen in the festival from 16 – 26 June 2016.  (Please note the new dates for the Festival).

The festival is organized with key partnerships from Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, KZN Film Commission, NFVF and other valued partners.

DIFF exhibits many films from around South Africa, Africa and from around the World.

The festival also includes a local and international awards section.

Only films completed in 2014, 2015 and 2016 will be considered. There is no charge for entry.

How to Enter

Submissions will be accepted via an online screener. All submissions must be entered via the DIFF visitor page: http://vp.eventival.eu/cca/diff2016

In order to submit a film an account needs to be created if this has not already been done in previous years. The deadline for all entries including delivery of screeners is 29 February 2016.

In 2016 the festival will feature a focus on the important issues HIV and Aids within film.  DIFF invites filmmakers with films on this subject to submit them for consideration.

The festival will also feature seminars and workshops aimed at local and international filmmakers.

Important Dates

17 – 21 June 2016 9^th Talents Durban in co-operation with Berlinale Talents

17 – 20 June 2016 7^th Durban FilmMart presented in partnership with Durban Film Office

For more info: www.durbanfilmfestival.co.za

For DFM: www.durbanfilmmart.co.za

This edition by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton

Maxwell Scott Bags Reveals Exciting Rebrand

Luxury leather goods company Maxwell Scott Bags has recently re-launched its website after an exciting rebrand. 

An international business based in York, North Yorkshire, Maxwell Scott Bags fuses British design with Italian craftsmanship to create luxury leather products ranging from briefcases and luggage to handbags and accessories.

Founded in 2002 by William Forshaw, Maxwell Scott Bags began life supplying briefcases to corporate clients in London. After noticing that many of his colleagues brought plastic bags to work instead of business cases, William saw a gap in the market for high quality, professional briefcases in the workplace.

After a family trip to Italy sparked an interest in the traditional craftsmanship of Italian leather, William began looking for the highest quality tannery to begin producing the leather for his bags. A highly esteemed factory in Tuscany was chosen, and the business was able to take flight.

William Forshaw, Founder of Maxwell Scott Bags said, “Back in 2002 I had a tiny vision and a passion for leather, and the business hasn’t stopped growing since! With well over a decade of professional design and craftsmanship experience under our belts, I felt a rebrand was necessary to appeal to a new generation of leather lovers.

“Since 2002, Maxwell Scott Bags has branched out and we now sell our products internationally. Although still a small business with a small staff base, the company is expanding all the time and eventually aims to be the most-loved luxury British bag maker in the world.”

The British company stands out from the crowd by using only the finest, premium Italian leather which adds to the longevity of the product. The leather produced in the tannery comes from premium quality full grain hides that are tanned using completely natural processes, reducing the impact on the environment and giving the leather unique qualities. Marks and scratches can be buffed out and the leather develops a beautiful patina over time, meaning that products from Maxwell Scott Bags only improve with age.

After spending the past year rebranding, the company is now ready to show off its brand new image. With a sleek new website, a newly launched informative blog and a range of upcoming products in the pipeline, it’s an exciting time for the British company.

To find out more about the Maxwell Scott Bags story or to browse the extensive luxury collection, visit the new website: www.maxwellscottbags.com

Your Handy Calendar of Events for Pop-Up's and Entertainment Galore at The Oyster Box

POP-UP’s & ENTERTAINMENT GALORE AT THE OYSTER BOX

The Oyster Box’s latest Calendar of Events is a cornucopia of live entertainment, food and wine happenings and special celebratory events.  From May to August, Durban’s leading five-star hotel is where it’s all happening!

A series of Pop-up Events will be held in the Hotel Lobby over the next few months. 

·         On 9 May, join Grill Room Maître‘d, Hendry Pakiri as he demonstrates his skill as a master Crepe maker, when he presents a Pop-up Pancake making session. 

·         Pick up a few new garnishing tips and tricks from the hotel’s Head Chef, Luke Nair, with a Pop-up Garnish on Friday 27 June.

·         Be part of the behind-the scenes action, on Wednesday 9 July, with Executive Sous Pastry Chef Joanita Venter as  she prepares  items for the High Tea table at a Pop-up Pastry demonstration.

·         The Oyster Box is renowned for its extensive cocktail menu and its award-winning barmen.  Join our talented team of mixologists at a Pop-up Cocktail demo on Friday 29 August.

All Pop-up Events are open to the public and take place in the Hotel Lobby from 14:00-17:00. 

On Mother’s Day, Sunday 11 May, our traditional High Tea in the Palm Court, will  be vintage themed.  Enjoy the decadent spread, a gift with our compliments and our resident pianist tinkling the ivories.  

Also in May, from Monday to Thursday, book traditional High Tea for four people and only pay for three.  Bring along your friends to share the occasion.

Following a successful dinner theatre appearance in December, Cat Simoni returns to The Oyster Box on 29 May, with a tribute to Barbra Streisand.  Cat has performed at almost every one of London's five‐star hotels and her extensive repertoire extends from the great West End and Broadway shows, to the works of the great songwriters Porter, Rogers, Gershwin and Kern and  Pop megahits from the 50’s to the present time. The evening includes a three-course plated menu and the show at R350 per person.

                                                                                                                       

Dad’s rule at The Oyster Box on Father’s Day Sunday 15 June! So make it a family affair and extra special for all the men in our lives, with an outing to the Ocean Terrace Restaurant for a delicious three-course lunch at R490 per person, including a plated starter and dessert and a buffet main course.

Durban’s Bunny Chow has put KwaZulu-Natal on the culinary map and is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. In June the Ocean Terrace Restaurant will be offering a selection of three ‘Bunny’s’ to tantalise your taste buds.

Don’t miss the opportunity to sample a selection of Bouchard Finlayson wines with Oyster Box Sommelier, Juliet Urquhart on Saturday 21 June.  The Mini Wine Tutorial and Tasting will take place in the hotel lobby from 18:00 -19:00.

Legendary South African comedian and high profile corporate speaker, Kevin Perkins, headlines the first Curry & Comedy event for 2014. With his infectious passion for life, Kevin has wowed audiences around the world for 13 years. Adaptable comedic form, razor sharp wit and astute observation have made him a crowd favourite with young and old alike.

The evening includes a starter platter of Indian snacks, the incredible Curry Buffet, Bea’s Cheesecake and the show.  Cost is R350 per person.

One of the most exciting events taking place at The Oyster Box in July is our KwaZulu-Natal Food Heroes Dinner in the Pearl Room on Wednesday 23 July.  KwaZulu-Natal is a treasure chest of amazing produce.  Join our culinary team for a journey of discovery of the province’s best ingredients and produce. Cost is R475 per person.

The Women’s Day High Tea on Saturday 9 August, takes on a French twist, with An Afternoon In Paris.  Sit back and enjoy the legendary High Tea, as models glide through the tables dressed by top Durban designers.  Cost is R250 per person.

Sommelier, Juliet Urquhart hosts a Winter Food and Wine Pairing Dinner in The Grill Room on Thursday 21 August. The three-course dinner will be paired with a selection of wines from one of South Africa’s top wine estates.  Cost is R450 per person.

For more information about any of the events and activities at The Oyster Box

Contact the following:

-          Restaurant and High Tea reservations

Tel: +27 (0) 31 514 5018 • Email: restaurants@oysterbox.co.za

-          Spa reservations

Tel: +27 (0) 31 514 5072 • Email: spa@oysterbox.co.za

-          Accommodation reservations

Tel: +27 (0) 31 514 5000 • Email: info@oysterbox.co.za

The Red Carnation Hotels Collection                                         www.redcarnationhotels.com

The Oyster Box - is one of Africa’s most distinguished hotels.  With an abundance of colonial charm, it stands majestically on Umhlanga’s prestigious beachfront, with lush landscaped gardens and direct beach access. The hotel is conveniently situated in relation to the Natal Midlands and the Drakensberg Mountains, as well as game parks and historic battlefields.

Read about the Long Short Walk, Photography Events, Mother's Day Events and Live Theatre

What ‘s it about?

The Long Short walk was established and launched as a part of the Zenani Mandela campaign. Zenani was Nelson Mandela's great grand-daughter, who was killed on the eve of the Soccer World Cup in 2010, on her way home from the Opening Concert.

It is a call to action, led by the Mandela family, and carried out during the United Nation's Global Road Safety Week that takes place between 6 - 12 May. This campaign is International and hundreds of countries are taking part and arranging their own Long Short Walks. The Long Short Walks are then filmed/photographed and distributed via Social Media such as Facebook,Twitter and Flickr with the hashtag  #walksafe . All photos/footage are then put together, providing snapshots of streets and journeys across the world. 

Our Walk.

We are hosting the 031 Long Short Walk. We will be walking down Florida Road as it is not only our 'home' but also one of the busiest streets in Durban in terms of foot-traffic, and we are always witness to vehicles speeding/driving under the influence in this street, with complete disregard to the pedestrians.

We are meeting at Mitchell Park (across from Vida E) on Saturday the 11^th of May from 11h00. The walk will start at 12h00 and our destination will be the Durban Tourism Office at the bottom of Florida Road.  

Thank you to Fishwicks for sponsoring the printing of the posterboards and banners for us. We will be serving snacks at Spiga after the walk to all those taking part.

Link to FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/565942543450202/

For details please contact Karla at 031longshortwalk@gmail.com  or 031 303 9511.

The London Walk

The Rome Walk

The Vietnam Walk

(Source - Spiga) 

Music At St Clements

Nibs & Rodney Branigan

                      Friday 10 May

                      St Clements

                     191 Musgrave Road, Durban

                     18:30, R80pp        

                     Bookings essential 031 2022511

Acclaimed South African troubadour NIBS will be on tour this May with world acclaimed, acoustic guitar virtuoso, Rodney Branigan from Texas.

The two met at in London in 2011 and have spoken about a combined tour ever since. Nibs will be releasing his brand new Anthology album, ‘Crossing Borders, Driving north’, while Branigan will be gracing our shores with his outer worldly guitar prowess.

(Source - St Clements) 

(Source - Hirsch's) 

Join Sony for a Photography Talk

(Source - Sony Gateway) 

Live Theatre

Catalina UnLtd proudly announces that Catalina’s Deaf production  “Listen with Your Eyes” a comedy play, created and performed by Bo Tasker, Darren Rajbal and Ismael Mansoor  and directed by Alison Swannack, is going international.

Catalina UnLtd has decided to showcase “Listen With Your Eyes” by running the play again   from 30 May to 1 June 2013 at the Catalina Theatre, 18 Boatman Road, Wilson’s Wharf for the public who missed this fantastic show last year. To book a ticket (R80) please visit http://www.computicket.com. The play runs from Thurs 30th May, Fri 31st May at 8pm and Sat 1 June at 2pm and 8pm.

 ‘Listen with your Eyes’ took Catalina’s “Talking Hands”, the first ever Deaf Theatre Festival delivered in  South Africa, by storm last year. It has been selected for the Festival Clin d’Oeil (European Deaf Theatre Festival) in Reims, France.  While showcasing the richness of performance art among the South African Deaf Community, the cast will be exposed to the excitement of the international Deaf Theatre world at a time when this Deaf Cultural Festival celebrates its 10^th year.

Festival Clin d’Oeil was created in 2003 (European Year of Disabled Person) and this year will run from 5^th to 7^thJuly.  This multidisciplinary arts festival is aimed at highlighting the richness of the Deaf community. This unique festival has become a reference and an essential event to the global Deaf community as it opens a space for artistic expression and communication which is accessible to both Deaf and Hearing people. In addition to the performance of ‘Listen with your Eyes’, the festival has also requested the performance of  ‘Rainbow Magic’ for the street theatre aspect of the Festival, as well as two workshops for children.

Message from Mr David de Keyzer, the Festival director ‘I always take great pleasure in meeting new artists and that is why we have chosen to invite the cast from Catalina UnLtd. It is very important for us to promote foreign artists in Europe, at Festival Clin d'Oeil. We encourage the exchange of experiences and cultures in which results in constant evolution of our art. I will be amazed by the South African culture now, and the audience can also discover this culture so far from France… We are very pleased with the arrival of these great artists. With more than 6,000 persons attending the Festival in 2011, "Clin d’Oeil" is today the international central meeting event of Deaf culture.

Diversity, protection and development of languages are a central concern of the Festival. Greater diversity in the public audience is now fortunately  possible thanks to the 15 interpreters present, the vélotypie, subtitling and the magnetic loop, which allows meetings and exchanges between deaf and hearing people.’

The play “Listen with your Eyes” is a Deaf-only comedy based in a science lab. The hearing scientist and his Deaf assistant find communication a big challenge and they set about designing a robot to interpret for them. While designing the robot the hearing scientist learns a lot about Deaf people’s communication needs but not without loads of humour!

This is the first time ever for a Deaf-led and exclusive South African cast and director to perform on the international stage, which makes history for Catalina UnLtd and South Africa! 

The Artistic Director of Catalina UnLtd, Mr Themi Venturas, says, “We have embraced the Deaf community and deaf artists at Catalina, and it is gratifying to see this international recognition for their efforts.  The play is sure to be well received in France, and we are currently looking for funding and sponsors for our talented cast and director.”

The festival is paying 50% of the airfares for 4 people, Ismael Mansoor, Darren Rajbal, Bo Tasker and Alison Swannack and providing a small fee for the performances. “All we need to showcase South African Deaf theatre talent in Europe is to find the funders.  A reasonable amount for these amazing South Africans to showcase their work on behalf of the city, the Province and the country,” notes Mr Venturas.  All assistance would be greatly appreciated.

For further information or to make a contribution please email Alison Swannack at listenwye@gmail.com or contact Francis Doherty-Bigara at 031 837 7400 or 072 795 5965 . You can also visithttp://listenwye.wix.com/about or www.catalinatheatre.co.za

(Source - Catalina Theatre)