A Question of Thrones

Production by Chwayitisa Futshane, Zikhona Masala & Kyle Robinson.
Kwagga Productions. 24 minutes

The consequences of colonisation and Apartheid can still be seen in the complex politics of traditional leadership today — made worse by a democratic Constitution which makes no mention of customary law. The kingdoms of the Eastern Cape, mainly the AmaXhosa, the AmaPondo and the AbaThembu all face internal dispute and dissention; and the team journeyed into the Transkei to attempt to understand the pivotal issues involved.
DOWNLOAD A Question of Thrones – Flash

The Population Placation

Production by Rogan Kerr & Ayushi Chhabra
Dizzeemouse Productions. 24 minutes

This documentary follows a day in the life of four learners in Grahamstown, all from different walks of life and economic situations — exploring their influences and experiences from the home (parents and family), the school (teachers, academic quality and resources), as well as their peer relations (friends, girl/boyfriends etc). Their stories create a powerful and heartfelt exploration into the ‘haves’, the ‘have nots’ and the humanity we all share!
DOWNLOAD Population Placation – 3gp

Chains of Freedom

Sizo Vuka Productions – 24mins
Paul Harris, Kyla Herrmannsen, Nontobeko Sibisi, Tamsin Degoumois

Set in Zululand, Chains of Freedom explores the issue of ex-offenders and re-integration in South Africa. Matthew Sibiya is about to be released from prison and is feeling anxious about what life on the outside has in store for him. We follow his journey home to witness how his family and community accept him back and reconcile the crimes he committed.
chains of freedom – wmv | chains of freedom – flash

East or West: Home is Best

Gorilla Milkshake Productions – 24mins
Anesu Chingono, Jess Levy, Richard Moor & Sibongile Mafu

Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2010 RUTV Doc Film Fest

This intense documentary follows Somalians who have been forced to flee their homeland to settle in the Eastern Cape We meet a mother who has fled with her children; a father who had to leave his family in a refugee camp, and a young man who escaped the horror of being a child soldier. The story is told by Sharmaake, a young refugee trying to re-build his life here.

east or west – wmv | east or west – flash

Sugar High

Edit Four Productions – 24mins
Gregory Aldridge, Katherine .V. Robinson, Camalita Naicker & Zikhona Tshona

A toxic epidemic is destroying the lives of many in Chatsworth, Durban. Sugars is a highly addictive drug derived from heroin which has extremely painful withdrawal symptoms. We expose the devastating truth of how the community of Chatsworth is being destroyed by this drug and see the realities addicts endure for their next hit.
sugar high – wmv | sugar high – flash

Mother Knows Best

Tripod Production – 24mins
Robyn McCormick, Phumzile Manana, Laura Wener

In South Africa, thousands of children are abandoned every year through poverty, coupled with drug and alcohol abuse. Traditionally, it is the policy to keep babies with their biological mothers but this is not always in the best interests of the child. This documentary reveals, through the lives of untraditional South African families, that this is not always the best option. Sometimes, mother does not know best.
mother knows best – wmv | mother knows best – flash