The FAME Shorts Film Festival, taking place from 4 to 7 September 2024 at the Labia Theatre, is set to captivate audiences with its celebration of African indie cinema. This year’s festival features 30 films across four themes: Love Stories, Growing Pains, Past Echoes, and Drifting, offering a diverse selection for every film enthusiast. Among the lineup, we are excited to shine a spotlight on three exceptional animated films that stand out for their creativity and narrative depth.

Noël au continent

“Noël au continent” offers a delightful twist on the classic Christmas story, bringing an African perspective to the holiday season. The film follows Santa Claus as he passes through Africa on his annual gift-delivery tour. Captivated by the delicious local dishes and the warmth and hospitality of the people, Santa’s mission is put in jeopardy by his indulgence in the continent’s rich cuisine.

The film’s creator drew inspiration from personal experiences of celebrating Christmas, aiming to tell a story that celebrates family, friendship, and sharing. Set in Cameroon, Noël au continent maintains the familiar symbolism of Christmas while placing Santa in a new and vibrant environment. The film emphasizes messages of solidarity, sharing, tolerance, and love, making it a heartwarming experience for audiences of all ages.

Cost: From R120pp (full day, includes 7 – 10 films) | Book via Quicket
When: 6 Sep | Friday | 6pm to 8.30pm

Straatrotte

Although not a fully animated film, Straatrotte creatively blends live-action with elements of animation to tell a heartwarming and humorous story. Directed by Gasan Sallies, the film falls under the Growing Pains theme and follows three homeless kids—Ebi, Zac, and Nat—who concoct a wild plan to birdnap the mayor of Cape Town’s exotic and Insta-famous pet parrot, Kofu. Their goal is to earn enough money to buy special glasses for Zac, who is nearly blind. As expected, their heist doesn’t go as planned, leading to a series of unexpected and engaging events.

The film’s inspiration came from the director’s curiosity about how street kids with nothing might plan a heist. The production faced unique challenges, including shooting the entire 22-minute film in just three days and dealing with the unpredictability of working with children and animals. Despite these obstacles, the film successfully blends humour, suspense, and a light-hearted narrative, making it a standout piece at the festival.

Sallies envisions Straatrotte as a stepping stone to a unique style that merges live action with animation, a concept he plans to explore further in future projects. The film’s engaging story and innovative approach make it a perfect addition to the FAME Shorts Film Festival lineup.

Cost: From R120pp (full day, includes 7 – 10 films) | Book via Quicket
When: 5 Sep | Thursday | 4pm to 5.30pm

Thirst

“Thirst” explores the interaction between humans and the natural world under the Past Echoes theme. Directed by Arnaud van Vliet, the film follows a pilot who crash lands on a deserted Earth and journeys across a scorching desert in search of water. Her quest leads her to an oasis where she encounters a whimsical Water Spirit, who, triggered by the sight of the human, recalls the destructive actions of mankind and holds the pilot accountable for these sins.

The film’s unique approach involves no dialogue, relying solely on visual storytelling to depict the pilot’s transformation from a confident figure to a weakened, crawling survivor. Van Vliet faced significant challenges during production, including the impact of load shedding on the film’s schedule. Despite these hurdles, the film’s striking backgrounds and thoughtful message about environmental responsibility and human impact shine through.

Thirst is a reminder of our duty to care for the planet and the consequences of our actions. Its innovative use of colour and texture adds to its emotional depth, making it a standout feature at the festival.

Cost: From R120pp (full day, includes 7 – 10 films) | Book via Quicket
When: 7 Sep | Saturday | 6pm to 8.30pm

FAME Short Film Festival

For more information on the FAME Shorts Film Festival see below.

Cost: R120pp (full day) – R350 (4 Day pass) | Book via Quicket

When: From Wed 4 to Sat 7 Sep 2024 | Various times, See the full lineup here
Where: Labia Theatre, 68 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8000

Website: fameshortsfilmfestival.com
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 010 496 3500
Instagram: @fame_shorts_film_festival