The FAME Shorts Film Festival returns to Cape Town’s Labia Theatre from 4 to 7 September, bringing a dazzling array of African cinema. This year’s festival edition showcases innovative and creative filmmakers from across the continent. You can expect a programme of 31 narrative-driven documentaries and feature films made in Africa and abroad. Here’s what you can look forward to.
The FAME Shorts Film Festival themes for 2024
The public festival is a highlight of FAME Week Africa, an annual gathering and trade show for the entertainment industry. Martin Hiller, FAME Week Africa Portfolio Director, shared his excitement, exclaiming, “…It’s brimming with personal stories, biographies, and tales of innovation, underscoring the rich diversity of African societies”.
This year, the festival is focused on four central themes. Drifting delves into human aimlessness and fleeting connections, and Gowing Pains touches on the raw and transformative experiences of change.
The collection of films in the Love Stories category explores love in its many forms. And Past Echoes shows how traditions, memories and events can shape and influence the present and future.
The City of Cape Town proudly supports the FAME Shorts Film Festival. “As a hub for unearthing raw talent in the African filmmaking community, the festival offers an unforgettable cinematic journey,” explained a city representative. “The City of Cape Town is delighted to host this diverse and enthralling film festival at one of our iconic venues, The Labia. We eagerly anticipate the remarkable works and themes (emerging) from filmmakers across our continent”.
The story behind this year’s official artwork
The FAME Shorts Film Festival’s mascot and poster icon is the African Penguin, drawing attention to the urgent plight of the species. With the population plummeting to fewer than 10,000 breeding individuals, an announcement in October will reveal whether the African Penguin will be added to the Critically Endangered list.
The festival has teamed up with Yes!Definitely, a bottled water company, to create the 2024 poster. Cape Town-based illustrator Suné Rossouw’s winning design symbolises companionship and collaboration. Her vibrant and enchanting poster captures the festival’s spirit and will grace Yes!Definitely water bottles. All proceeds from water sales and ticket sales will benefit the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB).
More about MIP AFRICA
MIP Africa, the film-focused stream of FAME Week Africa, in conjunction with the FAME Shorts Film Festival, offers an exciting array of events for filmmakers and industry professionals. From 2 to 4 September 2024, the Cape Town International Convention Centre will hold content sessions, workshops, and masterclasses to educate and inspire professionals in the film and television industry.
Cost: From R120pp, book through Quicket
When: Running from 4 to 7 September 2024 | Various times
Where: The Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Website: fameshortsfilmfestival.com
Email: fame@rxglobal.com
Tel: 010 496 3500
Instagram: @fame_shorts_film_festival
See our updates on the latest film releases in Cape Town
