They may have been short of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, but certainly were not lacking the drama of any awards ceremony.The 8th Apollo Film Festival Awards were held at the exquisitely decorated Victoria West Town Hall recently, acknowledging the best of local film-making.

Among the media, filmmakers and guests present at the prestigious event included renowned filmmaker Khalo Matabane, award-winning producer Bridget Pickering and film and television journalist Theresa Smith, who formed the jury.

Also present at the awards ceremony were filmmakers Rina Jooste, Junaid Ahmed, Dylan Valley, and Asivhanzi Mathaba.

Among the audience were South Africans who had travelled almost 1,000 km to enjoy the opportunity to see a large collection of some of South Africa’s best films and meet the filmmakers.

The coveted prize of Best Feature Film at the Awards went to Confessions of a Gambler by Rayda Jacobs, while the film 50 years of Love by Karin Slater scooped Best Documentary, and the Best Short Film Awarded went to the AFDA production, Shadow Boy by Justine Puren.

The jury also awarded a Special Mention Award to the Director of Bakgat, Henk Pretotious.

Speaking on behalf of the Jury, Bridget Pickering said, “when judging the best films at this year’s Apollo Film Festival we, the jury, looked for indications that our local film industry is maturing, and we have found some encouraging signs.”

The jury’s task was not simple – there were so many films to choose from – but it was exciting and challenging, she added, “filmmakers are beginning to interrogate socio-political themes and landscapes through credible characters and powerful stories”.

Though attendance was low (1,720 tickets sold) it was pleasing to see both Jerusalema and Hansie playing to full houses. A highlight of the festival was the well-attended opening ceremony and the much talked about and controversial Michael Raeburn film Triomf.

Other guests of the Festival included feature film Jerusalema producer Tendeka Matatu, Hansie producer Frans Cronje, Land of Thirst director Meg Rickards and Tengers director Michael J Rix.

Documentary filmmaker guests included Junaid Ahmed - More Than Just A Game, Rina Jooste - Betrayed, Tiny Mungwe - Akekho Ugogo / Grandma’s not Home, Dylan Valley - Hip Hopera. Ashivanzi Mathaba presented his short film Walk Like a Man.

Donations from the Executive Mayor of the Pixley Ka Semme region to the local film club and LoveLife group expressed the positivity of the festival, while filmmakers expressed their willingness to conduct workshops and provide films for regular screenings at the Apollo Theatre.

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