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Film awards for AFDA directors

9 Dec 2013

AFDA lecturer and filmmaker, Janet van Eeden and AFDA first year student Matthew Couperthwaite received awards for Best Cinematographer and Best Editor respectively for their films A Shot at the Big Time and Lucky Legs at the second Annual eThekwini Filmmakers Association Awards held at the Durban Manor recently.

Image: Free Digital Photos

A Shot at the Big Time is a film inspired by the true story of Janet van Eeden's brother, Jimmy. He died after just three days on the Border in mysterious circumstances. The film was nominated in three categories: Best Short Film, directed by Stephen de Villers, Best Cinematography by Luke Pallett and Scriptwriting & Production by Janet van Eeden. The film scooped the Best Cinematography Award, which was handed to Janet by the Durban Film Office's, Toni Monty and eThekwini Filmmakers Association Chairperson, Andile Buwa.

"Thank you very much for this award. This film is very close to me as it is about my brother who walked a different path from the mainstream and lived his life according to what he believed. This is the first film I've produced and to win this award is a huge honour." said van Eeden on receiving the award.

Student director Matthew Couperthwaite's Lucky Legs received the award for Best Editor with editing by Temara Prem, and was also nominated in the categories Best Editor and Best Student Film. The film follows the lives of two homeless characters Bergie and Skolli whose differences end up being the toast of their success in making money in an oddly peculiar and embarrassing manner.

Commenting on the award, Couperthwaite said "As a first year student at AFDA it was a true honour to be nominated alongside some of the top Film Makers in Durban (some of whom are my lecturers!) and I am so happy for the amazing Temara Prem, she really deserves the accolades.""

Keynote speaker at the event representing the City, Deputy Mayor Cllr Nomvuzo Tshabalala emphasised that the City was extremely proud of the crop of filmmakers and the work they presented during a three day local film market held at the Workshop Shopping Centre in November 2013.

Toni Monty emphasized that plans were in place to grow the industry within Durban and bring back Durban talent from Gauteng. "The blueprint that is the eThekwini Filmmakers Association has been highly appreciated by local government."