Film enthusiasts united at City Campus’ Arthur Smith Hall on Friday

, 18 November for a four-hour festival of short films, documentaries, music videos and dramas.

An annual initiative of the Department of Video Technology, the festival is a platform to showcase work done by second, third year and BTech students.

Senior Lecturer Cary Burnett was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the work this year. “The stand-out work was definitely from Alistair Heath, a BTech student. He is a maverick auteur with a gift for seeing the exceptional in the everyday. He also has a penchant for editing, especially music videos. BTech student Joanelle Meyer produced some highly polished and technically accomplished Afrikaans music videos. They have already received hundreds of hits on YouTube,” Burnett said.

Drama and music videos were popular genres. The variety of plots however brought to the fore each student’s individual taste and view on life and local issues.

Third year student Shanelle Jewnarain’s illustration of imaginary friends was compelling. In the beginning the main character, a self-conscious middle-aged man living with his mom, comes across as weird and immature. He shuns his imaginary friend, hoping to finally blend in with society. When this fails he gradually starts to accept himself and his friend. This leads him to meeting his soul mate who, just like him, also has an imaginary friend. It is no wonder Jewnarain’s film was screened at the Durban International Film Festival this year.

Alan Patrick entertained the audience with “Morning Rush”. This hilarious story is about a pupil who wakes up extremely late for school. He is determined to make it on time, but experiences various setbacks en route to school. It is eventually revealed to him that it is a Saturday!

The festival started and ended on a high note.

– Naledi Hlefane