Directed by Rogan Kerr – 5 min
Flying with Freakfactor is an exploration into the thrills and spills of the extreme art of body suspension. We follow the thoughts of Grahamstown specialist, John Wayne as he attempts to break the world record for longest full body suspension. This documentary uncovers what it is that attracts people to this dangerous sport as film-maker Rogan Kerr faces his own fear of blood!
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Directed by Ntombikayise Mlangeni – 5 min
All of us categorise people to make sense of our social surroundings. But categorisation also creates labels and stereotypes — making people with mental illness vulnerable to negative stigma. This piece explores how patients at Fort England and Tower mental institutions are moving away from the stigma of perceived dysfunction through art and crafts, relevant treatments and the sharing of their creativity with the world.
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Produced by Aurelie Kalenga, Molatelo Ramothwala & Bradford Keen – Rural City Productions
TV Intensive 2010 – 5mins
An investigative documentary looking at a pilot RDP housing project in an area known as Transit Camp in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape.This is the first project to be run by a provincial rather than local governmental department.
The film’s focus is on residents who are affected by poor service delivery. With delays in construction and confusion between contractors, suppliers and the provincial Department of Human Settlements, residents share their frustration, anger and sadness with these unfulfilled promises.
transit – wmv | transit – flash
Produced by Ross Alford. Daniella Potter and Mokgaetji Shadung – Shaky Panda Productions
TV Intensive 2010 – 5min
The documentary is on a group of Rastafarians who live in Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. They are finding it hard to balance practising their religion and living in the market driven economy of the western world, which they refer to as the Babylon society. We follow Rastafarians in their attempt to obtain a lease for a piece of land which they hope to use to grow their own crops, live and worship on the land. The Rastafarians had built their Church on the land and had a promise from the municipality that they would be able to secure the land before we started filming the process. Our documentary shows what happened.
down-babylon – wmv | down-babylon – flash
Produced by Sibusiso Mtshali, Joe Hanly & Simone Marais.
TV Intensive 2010 -5min
Produced by Zimkita Mkosana, Sophosethu Stuurman & Theresa Taylor. TV Intensive – 5 min
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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
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.
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
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
Camalita Naicker – 5min
A young learner in Groutville, KZN reflects on his life and future. He is troubled by the loss of his parents and the impact their deaths have on his life. This is the story confronting many young child-headed households.
abazali abasekho – flash | abazali – lo wmv
Robyn McCormick – 5min
Am Bodach (Gaelic for “The Old Man”) explores the universal experience of residents of an old-age home. Ronnie Smith sits in the Grahamstown home’s small courtyard as though waiting for something.Three poems by Don Maclennan povide a rich text to filter his day.
am-bodach – flash |
am bodach – hi-res | am bodach – lo res
Paul Harris – 5min
An Afrikaans Reggae band, based in Greyton, Western Cape, use their music to inspire the local community to unite to tackle their issues of drugs, crime and unemployment. In return the band members win respect and understanding from the community for their Rastafarian beliefs and culture.
community conquered – flash | community conquered – hi res
Gregory Aldridge – 5mins
Feel it is gone? This documentary investigates post world cup emotions asking specific questions of the viewer. The character takes you through an investigation of your thoughts regarding the 2010 World Cup while offering you a subtle, dry comedic look at the ordeal of the competition and the events that followed the tournament.
Jess Levy – 5min
Do you ever stop to listen to your heart beat? This quirky profile of Gerry Dixon, an artist who listens to the beat of his heart, and sticks to what it tells him, uses animation to portray the vibrancy that is Dixon’s life. Shot in HD which is not possible to project tonight.
gerry dixon – flash | gerry-lo-res|
Katherine .V. Robinson – 5 mins
A Grahamstown grave-digger epitomises the human condition. This piece reflects our shared condition; its absurdity, tedium, futility, beauty and inevitable fate. We persevere with our humdrum, laborious existence, struggling to attain meaning, only to dig ourselves another grave.
graveyard-flash | graveyard-hi res | graveyard- lo-res