Realness Announces 2019 Participants At Cannes Film Festival

Realness is an initiative that aims to uncover the depth of cinematic talent that the African continent has to offer.

Realness provides a space for filmmakers to develop their authentic voices within an African context. Thus, creating an environment of diversity, but also finding familiarity in different layers of each writer’s experiences.

Now in its 4th edition, Realness has hosted writer/directors from 13 different countries in Africa including Senegal (Rama Thiaw), Rwanda (Kantarama Gahigiri), Angola (Mario Fradique Bastos) and Kenya (Ng’endo Mukii).

Realness alumni have gone on to be selected to take part in the Sundance Directors and Screenwriters Labs, Biennale College Cinema and La Fabrique in Cannes.  Two of the Realness projects have already been produced: Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese(Lesotho) recently wrapped production on his film This Is Not A Burial, It’s A Resurrection, and will have its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival this coming September; and Hiwot Admasu’s A Fool God is currently in post-production.

“2019 has affirmed the core values of what Realness seeks to achieve – to unearth the wealth of African stories – real stories from the continent, told with an honest and unapologetic point of view by African talent.” says Bongiwe Selane, a partner at Realness for the last three years.

Selane announced the 6 residents participating in Realness 2019 on Monday 20th May in Cannes:

  • Athi-Patra Ruga – The Lunar Songbook – South Africa

  • Beza Hailu Lemma – The Last Tears of The Deceased – Ethiopia

  • Fanyana Hlabangane – The Spirit Guest – South Africa

  • Hajooj Kuka – African Titanics – Sudan

  • Iman Djionne – Coura+Ouleye – Senegal

  • Silas Miami – Miles – Kenya

The 6 projects were chosen by an international panel of 16 world cinema stakeholders including Efuru Flowers (Flourishing Films), agent Anthony Mestriner (Cassarato Ramsay & Associates), Dominique Welinksi from DW, and Production and Development executive for Indigenous Films, Thandeka Zwana.

“The 2019 group for Realness crosses Africa from East to West. I can hear new strong voices, loud ones. A couple of directors already did a 1st feature which did travel across the world and I’m sure their international experience will really benefit the residency. I would like to thank Realness for allowing me to discover new talents, stories and voices.” says Welinski.

The 4th Edition’s participants will begin their journey at the idyllic Nirox Foundation residence and sculpture park in the Cradle of Humankind on the 11th of June. Over the course of 6 weeks, the residents will be furnished with the resources and mentorship that will empower them to create their best work.

Elias Ribeiro, founder of Realness, had a big announcement to make at Cannes on the 19th of May: Creative Producer Indaba.

“Indaba has been met with great enthusiasm by our Industry peers. We have big dreams, we are unfolding Realness into an institute inspired by Sundance Institute within the African context, which not only caters to writers, directors and producers, but in future also nurtures professionals in other disciplines of film, such as curation, production design, sound and cinematography, moreover, we intend to structure a film fund to help finance the filmmakers and projects we support.” says Ribeiro.

Realness is an initiative by Urucu Media in partnership with:

  • Nirox Foundation

  • Berlinale Talents

  • Durban FilmMart

  • The Durban International Film Festival

  • Durban Talents

  • Institute Français

  • The French Institute of South Africa

  • TorinoFilmLab

  • EAVE Producer’s Workshop

  • Locarno Filmmaker’s Academy

  • CNC (Le Centre National du Cinéma et de L’image Animée)

  • Toronto International Film Festival

  • TIFF Filmmaker Lab

  • Robert Bosch Stiftung

  • Cocoon Productions

  • Deuxieme Ligne Films

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Tim Zeelie