Short Film Project shortlist announced

Overall, the team was extremely impressed with the standard of submissions received, as a reflection of the young, creative talent within the local film industry.

Lola Gallant, Brand Manager of Cinema Nouveau, shares this view: "We launched The Short Film Project last year with a number of objectives in mind. As the country's only dedicated 'art house' cinema chain, we wanted to show our commitment to the growth of local cinema. We know this industry houses an abundance of raw and untapped young talent, and we wanted to unearth this creativity and display it on a wider public platform. We also wanted to encourage the creation of new and original content in the short film genre.

"Overall, the majority of entries submitted have ticked all these boxes, which has pleased us. We are delighted to be able to give some of these young filmmakers a public platform to feature their short films on the big screen, alongside one of our feature films."

Some real gems

The curator of The Short Film Project, Julia Stephenson, who created and curates the Short & Sweet short film project, said it was a tough job compiling the shortlist. "There were some real gems among the entries received. It was pleasing to view the work of those filmmakers who just understand what a short film should encompass, in 10 minutes or less.

"I thoroughly enjoyed viewing the entries and recognising the exciting new potential that was on display. Overall, the shortlisted entries are a good mix of various film genres, including animation, documentary, drama and experimental, which, I believe, will make for interesting viewing."

The 10 short films that have been shortlisted - and the Cinema Nouveau films they will be released with - are

• Birdman (directed by Robert Nicholls) - will screen with Inherent Vice (from 10 April)
  
• Run Jose (directed by David Meinert) - will screen with Saint Laurent (from 17 April)
  
• The Christmas Gift (directed by Timothy Argall) - will screen with Dear White People (from 24 April)
  
• Fortabt (Loss of Love) (directed by Benitha Vlok) - will screen with Far from the Madding Crowd (from 30 April)
  
• Endless (directed by Robert McEwan) - will screen with Serial (Bad) Weddings (from 30 April)
  
• 21th Street (directed by Kelsey Egan) - will screen with Lullaby (from 8 May
  
• The Grave Digger (directed by Quean Groenewald) - will screen with Little Chaos (from 15 May)
  
• Ashes in the Earth (directed by Sara Gouveia and Kofi Zwana) - will screen with Infinitely Polar Bear (from 22 May)
  
• True - Jose (directed by Mandla Shonhiwa) - will screen with A Most Violent Year (from 22 May)
  
• In Foreign Transit - India (directed by Dewald Brand) - will screen with Serena (from 29 May)

These 10 shortlisted films will be screened as the 'supporting act' to the main feature film at the four Cinema Nouveau theatres in Joburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. They will be released from Friday, 10 April to Friday, 29 May.

The public is also invited to vote for its favourite short film, after viewing the shortlisted entries at a Cinema Nouveau theatre. The film that receives the most number of votes in the 'Audience Choice Award' will also receive a screening at DIFF.

The winning films will be announced at a function at Cinema Nouveau during June. For more information and screening details, go to www.cinemanouveau.co.za.