Page 21 - Demo

UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL FOUNDATION 19CCA Awarded a R1 Million Grant to Boost the DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALUKZN%u2019s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) and its renowned Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), one of Africa%u2019s leading film festivals, was recently awarded a R1 million annual grant from the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority. This three-year funding of R1 million rand per year, supported by the UKZN Foundation, will not only boost DIFF%u2019s position as a premier cultural tourism attraction but also elevate its impact on the creative and cultural industries in South Africa, fostering innovation and driving economic growth within the sector.CCA Director Dr Ismail Mahomed is thrilled about the transformative impact of the grant. %u2018The grant provides us with an amazing opportunity to further anchor the festival as a cultural tourism event for the province,%u2019 said Mahomed. %u2018This year, the festival attracted participants from 53 countries and created opportunities for several South African films to be screened internationally. It also supported capacity-building initiatives that contribute to growth in the KZN creative sector.%u2019The grant will primarily fund DIFF%u2019s programming, enabling DIFF Opening Night at Suncoast Supernova. the festival to maintain its status as an Oscar-qualifying event. Additionally, it will support the continuation of DIFF%u2019s pilot residency project for African women festival curators, a key initiative that provides mentorship to emerging professionals in the industry.%u2018This partnership aligns perfectly with DIFF%u2019s mission of promoting local and international films,%u2019 Mahomed said. %u2018We are both committed to fostering critical thinking, creativity and social engagement through film, which is crucial for strengthening South Africa%u2019s democracy. Films produced through our IsiZulu