Editor

Itis with great pleasure that we announce the official program schedule of South Africa's premiere township cinema event: the 7th Aluta Film Festival 2010. We began in 2003 as a film retreat to showcase and celebrate African and Diasporan cinematic works that do not enjoy theatrical releases in South Africa's Hollywood infested cinemas. A small film festival with BIG ambitions ... ...

For the better part since our inception we have stand firm despite major funding challenges in growing a film festival brand born out of the African renaissance lifestyle - a lifestyle others will not want to acknowledge but one that will become BIGGER than their ability to suppress it. Today, we pride ourselves in the uniqueness of our programming and our vibrant township setting - GALESHEWE

At its core, our festival has always been about great films, but it has also been about community. One of the key goals has been to further enhance the audience experience by opening up the festival to the community. For 2010, we went a step further and we are pleased to be working with the Northern Cape Provincial Department of Arts & Culture to accomplish that goal - equally exciting news is that the Mayibuye Arts Centre is now the official home for the Aluta Film Festival.

Much has happened since our last festival - funding remains a major challenge to underpin most of the programs of the Aluta Film Festival however this cinematic revolution will not be compromised. In these times of economic uncertainty we are grateful to all our partners, particularly the Northern Cape Provincial Department of Arts and Culture, the Mayibuye Arts Centre and BushCoffee, for their unwavering support of the festival.

We have a few surprises up our sleeves and we will be announcing them soonest - also note that the official selections excludes special themed screenings as well the WILDCARD entries. We will also be announcing the opening and closing films soonest - WATCH SPACE!!! ALL WILL BE REVEALED in GOOD TIME!!!

On Monday 22 February 2010 Opening Night Film and Party launches the Festival with an eagerly anticipated new film. Talent is on hand to answer questions afterward. An exquisite kickoff party follows.

On Sunday 28 February 2010 Closing Night Film ends the Festival memorably, with a superb film. A truly joyous after-party wraps up the Festival's glorious 7 days.

In an effort to introduce Northern Cape based previously disadvantaged learners to the art of filmmaking, the Aluta Film Festival will be hosting the Schools Cinema Café aimed at inspiring the next generation of South African filmmakers. The Schools Cinema Cafe will take place from the 22 till 26 February 2010.

Guest filmmakers will facilitate the week long Schools Cinema Café held at selected high schools around Kimberley - the programme will include screenings of award winning films as well as mini workshops.

In the afternoon on Monday 22 February 2010 we will take guest filmmakers on the ride of their lives when we tour the township of Galeshewe. The Aluta Community Film Showcase's goal is to promote tourism in Galeshewe and Kimberley. Guests are ferried on an open air bus to see the sights, sounds and vibrancy of the township of Galeshewe.

In 2010, we will introduce open air cinema screenings for young professionals to mix, mingle and chat under African skies complimented by music from fabulous deejays. This dynamic group will be made up of creative individuals from a wide range of professions including government, media, film industry, private sector and creative industries. The open air cinema screenings will take place throughout the duration of the film festival.

The Youth Filmmaker Panels ‘Exploring Careers in the Film Industry' is a new program aimed highlighting film industry opportunities available to those interested in carving out a career in the industry. Film Industry stakeholders will be on hand to make available details of these opportunities. The Youth Filmmaker Panels takes place throughout the film festival at the Mayibuye Arts Centre.

In 2010 we will introduce the Celebrity Spotlight Series where celebrity guest/s get down and talk about their experiences in the film industry during an intimate and candid interview before festival audience.

The Aluta Splash Pool Party is a laid back chill session otherwise known as a ‘chillaz' in township slang where out of town film festival guests mix and mingle with the locals at a local chisa nyama ... ...

WORD ON THE STREET
‘In our reality, people from diverse races come together to enjoy important African cinematic works of creativity, intellectual expansion, identity and equality.

The Aluta Film Festival will continue to highlight the irrefutable global appeal of African and Diasporan cinema worldwide and the people who personify it. Bringing our stories to live and our dreams to reality.

ALUTA FILM FESTIVAL OFFICIAL SELECTION

FEATURES

Title: The List
Director: Ziggy Hofmeyr
Country: South Africa

Title: Desire (Deseo)
Director: Antonio Zavala Kugler
Country: Mexico

Title: The Rise and Fall of Miss
Director: Stacie E. Hawkins
Country: USA

Title: Suwi
Director: Musola Kaseleti
Country: Zambia

Title: Sankofa (Encore Screening)
Director: Haile Gerima
Country: USA

Title: The Robbers
Director: Shupeng Yang
Country: China

Title: Business Is War
Director: Kgeye Kemal Gordon
Country: USA

Title: Poi Dogs
Director: Joel Moffet
Country: USA

Title: LIE
Director: Rafi Mercado
Country: Puerto Rico

SHORT FILMS
Title: Mena
Director: Eileen Byrne
Country: Germany

Title: Kwame
Director: Edward Osei-Gymah
Country: USA / Ghana

Title: Kibera kid
Director: Nathan Collet
Country: Kenya

Title: Lula
Director: Ladi Bidinga Mpoyi
Country: Belgium

Title: Ata
Director: Guilaume Giovanetti
Country: Japan / France

DOCUMENTARIES

Title: The Black Candle
Director: M.K. Asante
Country: USA

Title: Only When I Dance
Director: Beadie Finzi
Country: Brazil

Title: Fezekas Voice
Director: Holly Lubbock
Country: USA / South Africa

Title: 500 Years Later
Director: M.K. Asante
Country: USA

Title: Daveyton CockRoaches
Director: Motheo Seleke
Country: South Africa

Title: One People
Director: Alfred Santana
Country: South Africa

Title: The Soul of Black Girls
Director: Daphne Valerius
Country: USA

Title: Black People Dont Swim
Director: Lucilla Blankenberg
Country: South Africa

Title: Children of the Revolution
Director: Zola Maseko
Country: South Africa

Title: Akekho uGogo
Director: Tiny Mungwe
Country: South Africa

Title: The Comrade King (Sabata Dalindyebo)
Director: AfraVision / Trader Films
Country: South Africa

Title: Children of the Fire
Director: Junius R Hughes
Country: USA / South Africa

Motheo Seleke
Aluta Film Festival