RapidLion - The south African international film festival lauds outstanding filmmakers

23rd Oct 2018 | Source: tishalacommunications.com

The burgeoning film industry on the African continent and the outstanding quality of films it produces has given the sector much to be proud of. Essentially a marketing tool for African films, those made in the African diaspora, and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India China and South Africa) movies, RapidLion hosts what aims to be the single most prestigious film awards ceremony outside of the mature film industries of the west; The RapidLion Awards Ceremony, to laud the men and women who make these remarkable films.

Filmmakers are encouraged to submit their work for consideration for the fourth annual edition of the film festival, RapidLion 2019, which takes place from the 1^st to the 10th of March 2019 at the Market Theatre, in Johannesburg, and culminates in the awards ceremony, recognising the achievements and excellence of filmmakers who are born in Africa, are members of the African diaspora and are citizens of BRICS countries.

Last year, the festival attracted over 400 films from over 50 countries and hosted workshops and classes, which included a workshop on film marketing and distribution, and a master-class on screenwriting with Howard University Professor Emeritus Alonzo Crawford from the USA amongst other events that included the launch of two of South Africa’s top films of 2018; Catching Feelings and Five Fingers for Marseilles.

Previous recipients of the RadipLion include Kenya’s Wangechi Ngugi for Stories of Our Lives, Mauritania’s Abderrahmane Sissako for Timbuktu, South Africa’s Mandla Dube and Darryne Joshua for Kalushi and Noem My Skollie respectively and Gabon’s David Mboussou for I Am Congo. Other RapidLion winning movies include India’s Bajirao Mastani, Russia’s Through the Mist, and the United Kingdom’s A United Kingdom with David Oyelowo winning Best Actor in a Leading Role for his part in the film.

Entrants for the 4th annual edition of RapidLion have until 30 November 2018 to submit their work for a chance to compete in the following categories:

- Best of Africa and the African diaspora

- Best of BRICS

- Best of South Africa

- Directing

- Best Screenplay

- Best Humanitarian Film

- Best Actress in a Leading Role

- Best Actor in a Leading Role

- Cinematography

- Music (Best Song)

- Best Soundtrack

- Best International Short Film