Victoria West is a small dorp with no mountains or snow in sight. There is nothing physical that prompts a comparison between this quiet village in the semi-desert of the Karoo and the bustling ski resort in Utah, USA. But without their respective film festivals, no one would have heard of either of these small little cultural gems.

At Sundance, they celebrate American independent films. At Apollo, they celebrate South Africa’s very latest fillums. Nowhere else in South Africa can you literally immerse yourself in the delights and heartbreaks of the silver screen for an entire, uninterrupted weekend.

Our very own Sundance is taking place in Victoria West at and around the beautiful Apollo Theatre (one of the country’s last remaining Art Deco cinemas still in use) from the 2 - 5 October 2008.

This year, the annual celebration of South African cinema includes nine features, 14 documentaries and 24 short films.

As an unfettered reflection of South Africa’s reality, the award-winning features in this year’s line-up reflect the contrasts of the South African experience.

From the life-altering addiction of the slots in Confessions of a Gambler, to being transformed from teen nerd to rugby hero in Bakgat, the festival delves deeply into the lives of many South Africans.

The downfall and ultimate redemption of one of the nation’s most respected figures is explored in Hansie, while the mean, gangster-packed streets of Hillbrow echo throughout Jerusalema.

Opening the festival on Thursday 2 October is Triomf, the new offering from Michael Raeburn and, some would say, his tour de force.

Set in 1994, five days after South Africa’s first democratic election, he introduces the world to the highly dysfunctional Benade family who live in the poor white suburb that was built on the ruins of the legendary Sophiatown.

The directors and producers attending the festival to participate in the Q&A’s after the screenings include; Junaid Ahmed of More Than Just a Game, Frans Cronje of Hansie, Rina Jooste of Betrayed, Tendeka Matatu of Jerusalema, Asivhanzi ‘Asi’ Mathaba of Walk like A Man, Tiny Mungwe of Akekho Ugogo, Meg Rickards of Land of Thirst, Michael J. Rix of Tengers and Dylan Valley of Hip Hopera.

The Apollo Film Festival is sponsored by the NFVF and implemented by Encounters Documentary Festival, with the support of the Apollo Development Association, Durban International Film Festival, Northern Cape Tourism, and the Tourism Enterprise Programme.

Apollo Film Festival:

Date: 2 – 5 October 2008
Venue: Apollo Theatre
Location: Victoria West | Karoo

For more information contact Festival Director Reggie Khanzi on +27(0)82 583 4709 or visit the website: www.apollofilmfestival.co.za

Get there by hook or by shepherd’s crook. However you do get there, it will be a long weekend worth the distance travelled in body, mind and soul.