The 12th kykNET Silwerskerm Festival opened with a bang yesterday, uniting industry experts, filmmakers, and cinema lovers at the stunning Bay Hotel in Camps Bay. The rain seemed to take a cue from the universe, halting just in time for the coveted event’s perfect opening, with the sun shining bright to welcome a day filled with cinematic brilliance.
The festival kicked off with a series of extraordinary shotgun short films that set the tone for what promises to be a memorable few days. Among the highlights were O, Griet! Sy’s Droog, a comedy directed by Zandélle Meyer and Anje Barkhuizen; the kung fu puppetry extravaganza Die Groot Twis by Johann Vermaak; and Ons, a chilling horror short by Christopher van der Westhuizen. The musical comedy Deuntjie, directed by Adri Britz, and Selah, starring Erica Wessels, directed by Brett Michael Innes, rounded out the impressive lineup, leaving the audience eager for more.
Spotlight on documentaries continues
The documentary category was only introduced in last year’s festival but has quickly become a favorite. The day’s screenings began with Vergeet van My, a nostalgic musical journey directed by the ever-versatile Beer Adriaanse. Following this was By die Soutwater, directed by Marguerite Venter, a powerful film that touches on the vital issue of sea animal conservation. These documentaries added depth to the festival’s offerings, showcasing the diversity of stories that South African filmmakers are bringing to the screen.
Industry insights: workshops, panels, and masterclasses
As is customary at the Silwerskerm Festival, day one also offered a series of stimulating workshops, panel discussions, and masterclasses designed to foster industry growth and collaboration. One of the key discussions explored strategies around linear TV and streaming services – a topic of much relevance in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape. Additionally, a masterclass on screenplay adaptations provided attendees with invaluable insights, followed by a workshop where experts shared tips on content synergy, marketing, and publicity with filmmakers.
Rolling out the blue carpet: A night of feature films
The festival’s first blue carpet event saw the cast of Die Dekonstruksie van Retta Blom take center stage, with Antoinette Louw leading the way in this highly anticipated feature. The second film to premiere was Som van Twee, marking the directorial debut of the talented actress Simonè Pretorius.
Adri Britz, the mastermind behind Deuntjie, shared her excitement: “I was the writer, director, and producer of Deuntjie. Deuntjie creates an amazing feeling for everyone. It was such an amazing experience to be part of a wonderful team of creative people, creative crew members, creative actors, and making a musical for the first time comes with its challenges, but I, we, are incredibly proud of how it has turned out. This is the first time an Afrikaans musical is shown at the Silwerskerm film festival, and I am incredibly excited. I hope you enjoy it.”
Closing day one: Celebrating cinema in all its glory
Day one of the 12th kykNET Silwerskerm Film Festival concluded with a bang, featuring two star-studded Afrikaans films, Die Dekonstruksie van Retta Blom and Som van twee. These films were met with warm receptions from festival-goers, who praised the performances and storytelling. The night also included the premiere of Breathing In, a horror film by multi-award-winning director Jaco Bouwer, which, though outside the festival competition, added an exciting edge to the lineup.
With such a strong start, the 12th Silwerskerm Festival promises to be a celebration of creativity, culture, and the power of storytelling. Here’s to more cinematic gems in the days to come!
