Lectures and Events

Past Events

	Step into the Spotlight: Women's Month Screening 27th August 2009 * Thanks to Alliance Francaise for the venue
The women's month evening of films made by or about women was kindly hosted by the Alliance Francaise. The event was packed, highly interactive and a fantastic success.

Speed Mentoring Event 4th June 2009 * Thanks to the Cape Film Commission for the Runway venue. * Thanks to Genevieve Hofmeyr of Moonlighting Films and Nicky Greenwall of Greenwall Productions for acting as mentors for the evening.

WIFTSA members who had ever wondered what it's like to run your own production company or work with A-list celebrities were treated to some real-life answers when Genevieve Hofmeyr of Moonlighting Films and Nicky Greenwall of Greenwall Productions participated in WIFTSA's speed mentoring evening. Based on the concept of speed-dating, this groundbreaking event saw both of these high profile women spending 5 minutes of their valuable time in one-on-one sessions with WIFTSA members.

Get Technical! Workshop with Visual Impact 16th October 2008 * Thanks to Visual Impact for the venue and equipment "The depth of Marius's knowledge is stunning." - Fiona Tudor Price, chairperson of WIFTSA "I will be making key business decisions as a direct result of what I learnt at this workshop." - Nicky Newman, WIFTSA board member

With a technical skills shortage a common barrier for women and men trying to get ahead in film and television, WIFTSA partnered with Visual Impact to present a workshop entitled, "Get Technical!". Marius Van Straaten of Visual Impact gave a comprehensive and illuminating lecture on the future of High Definition and a variety of other technologies. Participants then got an opportunity to get hands-on experience of some of Visual Impact's state-of-the-art equipment.

Doc Soc: Film as a Health Intervention 7th October 2008 *Thanks to City Varsity for the venue

A diverse and expert panel consisting of filmmakers, Jack Lewis and Athalie Crawford, public health consultant and filmmaker, Farzaneh Behroozi, and Visual Anthropologist and UCT lecturer, Dr Susan Levine, discussed the use of film in health contexts. The screening of Athalie Crawford's short film, "Nokhwezi's Story" and Jack Lewis's documentary"A Luta Continua" provided useful examples of dramatic and documentary work with health messages. The role of film and television as the first point of contact in many health scenarios, in accessing patients' experiences, and in generating discussion and awareness, was explored by the panel and audience.

Women’s Month Celebration Film Screening 28th August 2008 *Thanks to the Cape Film Commission for the catering *"Sam had never seen her look so sad."  Anthony Silverstone *"Donate Blood" NTSC Cornelissen *"Free Energy" Jacqueline Van Meygaarden more info    *"Searching for  Mermaids in the Karoo" Wendy Hardie more info     *"Vision" Karen Van Schalkwyk *"Masindy's Story" Sharon Farr and Lee Otten *"Supermama" Karen Van Schalkwyk

To celebrate Women's Month, WIFTSA held a festival of films made by or about women. As well as showcasing the achievements of local women and men, this screening helped to highlight what is possible for women.

Financing Your Film: managing your relationship with broadcasters and financiers Date: Tuesday, 5th August 2008 *Thanks to the Cape Film Commission and the Protea Hotel Victoria Junction for their sponsorship

For many filmmakers, finding finance is the hardest part of making a film. To help address this difficulty, WIFTSA held a high profile panel discussion with key industry decision-makers. Kethiwe Ngcobo (Head of Drama SABC), Basil Ford (Industrial Development Corporation), Nadia Sujee and Karin Liebenberg (Department of Trade and Industry), Paul Raleigh (Film Finances and "Tsotsi" producer) and Guy MacLeod (Irish Ashman Attorneys) made up the expert panel.  By tracking the process of a hypothetical R 6 million budget film, the panel explained the criteria used to evaluate films for funding. Paul Raleigh and Guy MacLeod introduced WIFTSA members to their new all-in-one "PAL" package designed to meet the production, legal, insurance and auditing requirements of funders. The evening was a highly successful guide to the nuts and bolts of film financing.

	Doc Soc - Daniel and Our Cats 31 May 2008 *Thanks to City Varsity for the venue
Filmmaker, Julika Kennaway, enthralled WIFTSA members with her award winning documentary, "Daniel and Our Cats". This moving story follows a beautiful French woman who falls in love with a Namibian man and the big cats who live with him. But one tragic night, their idyllic life together is snatched away. Julika Kennaway shared the challenging experience of making the film with the audience.

	Doc Soc - Death by Myth 19 April 2008 *Thanks to Zula Bar for the venue *Screened with permission of Documentary Educational  Resources www.der.org
WIFTSA screened John Marshall's classic film, "Death by Myth" - a documentary that spans the 50 years of John Marshall's relationship with Ju/'hoansi people in Namibia. It explores the devastating consequences of the controversial "Bushmen myth" on international aid policies.

	Women Who Run Their Own Media Business: Miki Redelinghuys, Nicky Newman and Marlow de Mardt on the perks and pitfalls of entrepreneurship 16th December 2007 *Thanks to the Winchestor Mansions
Our panel consisted of Marlow de Mardt, Do Productions, Nicky Newman, See Thru Media and Miki Redelinghuys from Plexus Films. The panelists were very generous with their time and information and the event generated a lot of frank discussion – from how to juggle family and business to highlighting the difference between the creative and business focus.

	Networking Event at Jade Bar 22nd November 2007 *Thanks to South African Breweries for sponsoring the complimentary drinks.
At the trendy Jade Bar in Green Point, WIFTSA held a lively social event designed to get women in the film and television industry together to exchange ideas and make new contacts in an informal environment. It seems that the evening, which included entertainment and a complimentary drink from South African Breweries, was such a success that WIFTSA has decided to make this a regular event.

	How to Tell a Good Story: Bev Mitchell and Sue Isserow on the art of storytelling in film 5th July 2007 *Thanks to the Protea Hotel Extreme
Experienced executive producer, Beverley Mitchell, and Sue Isserow, chair of the South African Scriptwriters’ Union, honed the storytelling skills of WIFTSA members keen to learn a craft indispensable to filmmakers.

	From Concept to Completion: Bonnie Rodini on producing “The Story of an African Farm 5th of June 2007 *Thanks to the Protea Hotel Victoria Junction
WIFTSA launched their lecture series with a bang. The producer and screen writer of “The Story of an African Farm”, Bonnie Rodini, took WIFTSA members through the roller coaster ride of bringing this major feature film to the screen.

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