Editor

30th Durban International Film Festival
23 July to 2 August 2009

Celebrating its landmark 30th edition, South Africa’s longest-running film festival, the Durban International Film Festival, will open with My Secret Sky (Izulu Lami), directed by Madoda Ncayiyana and shot in Durban. Based on the experiences of the city's homeless children, it is a heartrending tale of suffering and redemption, featuring exceptional performances by a group of talented child actors discovered by Ncayiyana and closely nurtured through the filmmaking process.

My Secret Sky (Izulu Lami) is co-produced by Durban’s Vuleka Productions and produced by DV8 Films, whose other new film Shirley Adams, directed by Oliver Hermanus, will have its World Premiere at the festival.

Alongside a strong selection of South African and African films, DIFF 2009 will present a major focus on French Cinema, featuring some of the last year’s finest French films. There will also be special programmes of Palestinian and Indian cinema.

The Durban International Film Festival takes place from 23 July to 2 August at cinemas and alternate venues throughout Durban. The complete selection and schedule will be released in early July. For more information call (031) 260 2506 or visit www.cca.ukzn.ac.za .

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN), the principal funders of the 30th Durban International Film Festival are the National Film and Video Foundation, Stichting Doen, Hivos, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, German Embassy, Goethe Institute, City of Durban with support from East Coast Radio and other valued sponsors and partners.