The search for the winner of Discovery Channel’s brand new award category at the sixth annual Jozi Film Festival has heated up.
After receiving over 200 entries from across the continent, Discovery Channel on Monday announced the Top 10 finalists for the Discovery Channel ‘Don’t Stop Wondering’ Award.
Among the 10 finalists, Uganda has two; “MR ABILITY”, by Okuyo Joel Atiku Prynce and “EGG SLAP”, by Pressilla Nanyange.
“MR ABILITY” is s a story of Simon Peter Lubega, a physically impaired, creative artist who wakes up early every morning and works against all odds on his art pieces to raise money to support himself and his family. Okuyo said, “I am highly honoured to be set apart for this prestigious moment, amongst creative minds, by a world class channel. My first work as a director to be selected and aired on discovery channel is indescribable.” His film will be aired from Wednesday 2 August, 20:00.
On the other hand, “EGG SLAP” explores a childhood game, football, but with a twist.
Pressilla said, “I am beyond excited to be selected among the top ten; I’m feeling blessed.” Hers will be aired from Thursday 3 August, 13:35.
From today and throughout August, each film will be broadcast on Discovery Channel and it will be up to viewers to decide which film should be chosen as the overall winner. Voting closes on Monday 28 August and each filmmaker stands the chance of winning a cash prize of $5,000 (Shs18m) from Discovery Channel to go towards their next filming project.
“While this was Discovery’s first category in the Jozi Film Festival, we were thrilled with the quality and diversity of entries that we received,” says Dilek Doyran, VP of Commercial Development and Country Manager of Africa and the Mediterranean.
“Our hope was to find films which captured the ethos of curiosity and celebrated the uniqueness that the African continent has to offer, and with films from Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa and Uganda, we are confident the shortlist represents this. We look forward to broadcasting the Top 10 films on Discovery Channel, and showcasing the many different ways of celebrating Africanism.”
Other finalists are “DISCOVERY”, by Manqoba Shongwe from Swaziland, “PUPPETSULA”, by Michael Rodrigues and Shaun James from South Africa, “SITHAIDI: THE TRADITIONAL XHOSA BEAD ARTIST”, by Caley Kolk from South Africa , “THE ASCENSION”, by Dieter Du Plessis from South Africa, “THE TRAGEDY OF AFRICA”, by Dusty Van Niekerk from South Africa, “SJANGALALA: THE NEW ERA”, by Siphiwe Phiri from South Africa, “NON-PEOPLE”, by Wesley Rhode from South Africa and “ANOTHER SUNNY DAY”, by Tim Huebschle from Namibia.
Thats good for our Ugandans.