Two films made by participants of The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment in South Africa will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday, 15 May. This prestigious international film festival runs from the 14th to the 25th of May.
The UK film charity Films Without Borders (FWB) joined forces with The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, and worked with youth from townships and prisons in the making of the two 10 minute films in July last year. FWB taught these young people the first stages of film production and the result was two high quality short films: The Robertson Challenge and Finding Ubuntu /Townships Heroes.
Both the films were shown at two separate events at The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment’s 30th anniversary celebrations in October last year, attended by President Jacob Zuma, Minister Sibusiso Ndebele, Minister Collins Chabane, as well as the Earl and Countess of Wessex who were visiting South Africa as part of the organisation’s anniversary celebrations,
FWB is a non-political UK-registered charity which sets up film workshops for youth between the ages of 15-19 living in challenging countries around the globe. To date the organisation has worked in Israel, with orphans in Rwanda, and with young people growing up in Palestine and South Africa. The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, has been involved with the foundation since its launch at Buckingham Palace in 2010, and the hands-on support lent by the Earl and his team has proved invaluable.
“As an organisation that believes in the empowerment of young South Africans, we are thrilled at this enormous opportunity for these films to be aired on an international platform as prestigious as the Cannes Film Festival,” says Martin Scholtz, the CEO. “Our thanks must go to Jill Samuels and the FWB team for their commitment to the project, as well as the Department of Correctional Services, the management of the Chrysalis Academy, and the schools that allowed the Award participants to take part in this unique, once in a life time project.”
The Robertson Challenge involved Award participants from the Robertson Correctional Centre and a community youth group in the town, whilst Finding Ubuntu/Township Heroes involved Award participants from the Chrysalis Academy in Cape Town, Rustenburg Girls School, and St George’s Grammar School.
Screening of Films Without Borders Films:
Date: Thursday, 15 May 2014
Time: 13h00
Venue: The International Village Tent 119
For more information:
Martin Scholtz
CEO of The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment
Cell: 083 461 3840
Email: ms@presidentsaward.co.za
Twitter: @ThePresAward
