Call for submissions for Encounters Africa Shorts 2009

Encounters, in partnership with the SABC and the Jan Vrijman Fund, is calling for submissions for the Africa Shorts 2009. Following on the success of the first Africa Shorts workshop and productions launched at Encounters this year, the three are running a four-day storytelling and production workshop this year.

Five filmmakers from Southern and East Africa will be selected upon the basis of their proposals for a short film (of up to 12 minutes duration) on the subject of "Secret Lives."

We are looking for stories that examine the hidden and untold stories of ordinary or unordinary people, reveal secret obsessions, desires, movements, groups, relationships, pasts, fantasies, etc.

The Africa Shorts project enables filmmakers to refine their ideas through the mentorship of an experienced practitioner.

These films aim to be ready for screening at Encounters 2009 and thereafter at other film festivals internationally.

Deadline for submission is Friday 19 September 2008.

Entries should consist of no more than a:

Two-page synopsis (in English)
Two-page biography of the filmmaker, with references
DVD copies of previous films
All contact details

All entries should be sent by email to.

DVDs can be mailed to the following addresses:

Mandisa Zitha
1st floor, 27 Caledon Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa or P.O Box 2228, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa

Visit www.encounters.co.za for more information.