Film festival inspires youth to innovate
HIP-HOP pioneer Emile Jansen promoted the second Cape Flats Film Festival this week in his quest to challenge stereotypes and inspire the youth.
The promotion for the festival began at Athlone High School, where the former teacher, social activist and film-maker introduced pupils to short films and music videos shot by young, aspiring film-makers.
Jansen will go to a number of schools on the Cape Flats until the main festival on August 27 at the Catholic Welfare Development Centre in Athlone.
Jansen said they encourage young people to record themselves and find alternative images online to shift perceptions of the Cape Flats.
“We are trying to help young people think beyond the box society and media forces them into. They have access to cellphones with cameras and are only limited by their imagination.”
He said there are challenges for film-makers from disadvantaged communities and the festival was created as a platform for those voices.
“While we cannot make Hollywood-type productions, we should not let this stop us. We must be daring and creative, using what we have, and get our productions out there.”
Pupils were inspired by Jansen’s message and encouragement to express themselves through music, as some sang or rapped while being cheered on by classmates.
Grade 10 pupil Timothy Oosthuizen and Shane Jacobs and Abongile Ntloko, both in Grade 12, “free-styled” for Jansen and said they were inspired.
“Seeing young people like me create videos and being so creative is amazing, and I want to be just as creative,” said Ntloko.
Athlone High deputy principal Vincent Hendricks said he reached out to Jansen in the hope to help develop the talent among the pupils.
“We want to be a school where learners can achieve academically and have a balance of self-expression through activities such as this festival. It is encouraging to know there are leaders and socially aware people like Jansen teaching our youth in creative ways to tell their stories.”
Jansen said aspiring film-makers or people who want to get involved or submit their work can contact him on 021 706 0481 or visit www. healthehood.org.za.