Not even the snowfall on Table Mountain on Wednesday morning could dampen the atmosphere at the 12th kykNET Silwerskerm Festival with screenings of features, short films, documentaries, pilots, workshops and discussions being held at The Bay Hotel as well as Theatre on the Bay.
It is always inspiring to walk through the foyers of both venues witnessing animated conversations and bubbling excitement among the film-making fraternity, film buffs and media.
This year’s event has been another one for the books.
It wraps with a glitzy red carpet event at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, where the film and TV fraternity will be honoured for their contributions in the past year, on Saturday, August 31.
The ceremony is also open to the public. Viewers can watch the awards on kykNET (DStv channel 144) on Sunday, September 1, at 8 pm.
Meanwhile, there were several noteworthy announcements at the festival, too.
On Wednesday, the filming of “My F*k, Marelize” was announced. The shoot in Namibia kicks off in September.
If the title sounds familiar, it’s because you probably saw the viral video that spawned that catchphrase.
Set in Windhoek and inspired by true events that led to the popular rugby pole incident, the film follows Marelize Horn.
Excited to au pair in the Netherlands, the story follows the ups and downs of an accident-prone Marelize and her mother, Heidi, grappling with a cancer diagnosis.
The narrative is built around WIKA, which is the annual Windhoek Carnival.
Penned by Saftas-winning screenwriter Brett Michael Innes, who is behind “Sink” and “Fiela se Kind”, this will be Zandré Coetzer’s feature film directorial debut.
That said, Coetzer is no novice either. She has directed the hit series, “Dinge van ‘n Kind”, which is based on Marita van der Vuyer’s novel, and produced “Donkerbos”, a mini-series which bagged five Golden Horns at the Saftas and was sold internationally.
Michael Innes said: “This film is going to surprise everyone. When people think of a movie based on the phrase ‘my f*k, Marelize’, they're probably expecting a slapstick comedy about a teenager who bumps into things all the time.
“The story of the Horn family has so much more depth than that, and we can’t wait to surprise viewers with it.”
Coetzer added: “This story is a celebration of life. A showcase of how our people in Namibia and South Africa greet every challenge with a joke and face it with laughter.
“I was fortunate to spend time with the Horn family and witnessing their dynamic as a unit gave me such a clear vision for the film. As an Afrikaner, it is really special to be able to celebrate my language, culture and people in a story that speaks to our humour and way of doing life.”
Waldimar Pelser, M-Net Channel Director: Premium Channels, added: “kykNET is deeply rooted in Namibia, and we take great pride to be able to support not just any co-production with strong Namibian ties, but this one – a story full of pathos and humour with a unique local character.”
The Horn family, made up of Marelize, Heidi, Tiaan and Wilmari, were only too happy to open up their homes and lives to the production team.
Marelize said: “It’s crazy how this keeps growing. When I got a random Facebook message from Brett last year about wanting to make a film about our family, I didn’t know quite what to expect. Now they’re about to start filming, and I can’t wait to see how our experience is brought to life.”
On Friday, there was another announcement from Showmax and kykNET that a South African iteration of the hit US mockumentary series, “The Office”, is in the pipeline.
That said, the original British version, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephan Merchant, has been named the best-viewed comedy series of all time while its US counterpart bagged five Emmys, including one for Outstanding Comedy Series.
In 2020, it was the most streaming show in the world.
Rapid Blue is expected to start production in 2025 and the series will be filmed primarily in Afrikaans.
Nicola van Niekerk, Showmax’s acting head of content, said: “Our very first Showmax Original was a mockumentary, ‘Tali’s Wedding Diary’, so we’re delighted, just seven years later, to start reimagining the most iconic mockumentary of them all.”
Rapid Blue, an award-winning South African production company, have proven their Midas touch with shows like “Dancing With The Stars”, “The Bachelor”, “Family Feud”, “Shark Tank”, Come Dine with Me South Africa” as well as Homegrown Tastes South Africa”.
Rapid Blue managing director, Ziyanda Ngcaba, said: “We are proud to be producing the first African version of ‘The Office’ for Showmax and kykNET. The format is globally recognised and adored by audiences all over the world.”
Meanwhile, several of the films, TV pilots, short films and documentaries shown at the festival will be flighted on the channel, big screen as well as Showmax.