Search is on for SA’S top film maker

THREE of the country’s biggest TV production companies are searching for film makers to become the next Oliver Hermanus or Darrell Roodt.

Curious Pictures (producers of Rhythm City, The Lab, Intersexions, Hopeville), Endemol ( Isidingo, Survivor: Maldives, Big Brother Africa 6) and Ochre Media ( Scandal and Takalani Sesame) in conjunction with General Post have launched SA’S Next Top Film maker 2012.

The competition — in conjunction with General Post — an agency which supplies clients with staff for digital media and postproduction

projects —

is now year.

General Post’s managing director Kirsty Galliard said the competition was growing each year.

Galliard said: “You will never be rich by being a film maker in this country, but if you’re passionate about the industry and you enter and win such a competition, you’re definitely made. If you’re an idiot, you obviously won’t get anywhere, but if you work hard that is a huge jump-start in this industry, which we all know is hard.”

Those interested must fill out an application on the agency’s website (no film or broadcast experience needed), and attend a

in

its

third workshop on May 26, before they are expected to submit proposals for judging by June 22. Once all entries are received, the panel will whittle them down to around 15 scripts, and expect the budding film makers to pitch their ideas for the scripts on July 2.

The judges will cut it down to three finalists (to be announced on July 7), who will then be expected to produce their films (with the mentoring of the production companies), before it all culminates in a gala event on October 11, where the finalists’ films will be screened and then a winner announced.

The winner gets a paid one year internship at one of the partnering production companies.