JEFFREYS BAY – Young filmmakers from across the Kouga and Kou-Kamma regions will soon have the opportunity to showcase their creativity when the Reel Ubuntu Film Festival takes place on 20 March at King’s College in Jeffreys Bay.
The festival marks the culmination of the Ubuntu Youth Bootcamp, a three-day film production training camp hosted by Galaxy Casting Productions in October last year at the Gamtoos Ferry Hotel near Jeffreys Bay.
The initiative forms part of the Reel Ubuntu Project, a youth development programme aimed at equipping high school learners with film production skills while encouraging cultural storytelling.
Assistant Producer of Galaxy Casting, Marshall Geswint, said the journey from the bootcamp to the upcoming festival has been inspiring for both organisers and participants.
“What began as a three-day intensive training programme with young people from different schools has now grown into a platform where their voices and stories will be showcased publicly,” said Geswint.
He further said that it has been an incredible experience watching the participants gradually move from learning the basics of storytelling to acting and producing shorts films of their own.
During the three-day bootcamp, approximately 30 participants were introduced to various aspects of filmmaking, including scriptwriting, acting and camera work.
Geswint said several standout moments during the training highlighted the impact of the programme.
“Some of the most memorable moments were seeing learners who were initially shy suddenly find their confidence in front of the camera. Another highlight was when the participants worked together to write their own scripts and bring their stories to life,” said Geswint. “The response was overwhelmingly positive. Many of the participants had never been exposed to filmmaking before, so everything from scriptwriting to acting and camera work was a new experience.”
Each team produced a short film that will be screened at the Reel Ubuntu Film Festival, where a winning school will receive a filmmaker’s kit packed with cameras and equipment to help them continue their creative journey.
The winner will be announced on the evening of the festival. The festival represents the culmination of months of creativity, teamwork and personal growth,” said Geswint.
PHOTO: Supplied
He further said the quality of the films has been impressive, considering that many participants were first-time filmmakers.
“The themes of each film reflect real issues that young people face in their communities, including friendship, peer pressure, resilience, and hope,” said Geswint.
He added that many participants have continued to develop their creative skills since the bootcamp.
Geswint further said that since the bootcamp, several learners have continued practising acting, writing scripts, and even creating their own short videos.
He said that the programme has also sparked interest in careers within the creative industries.
“The bootcamp exposed them to career possibilities they had never considered before. It has opened their eyes to the creative industries as a viable path for their future,” said Geswint.
Attendees at the March 20 screening can expect an inspiring and entertaining evening celebrating young creative talent.
Geswint said that the screening will feature the short films produced by the participants, giving audiences a chance to experience the stories created by these young filmmakers.
He further explained that the true success of the initiative lies in the growth of the participants.
“Success is measured not only by the films produced but also by the transformation in the participants themselves. Seeing young people gain confidence, develop new skills, and believe in their creative potential is the greatest achievement,” said Geswint.
He said that the vision is for the Reel Ubuntu Film Festival to become an annual event that continues to grow each year.
Geswint added that they want it to become a recognised platform where young filmmakers from the region can showcase their work and connect with industry professionals.
Plans are also in place to expand the programme to reach more schools and learners in the future.
As part of the bootcamp, participating schools included Victory Skills Centre in Humansdorp, King’s College in Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp Secondary School, Hankey Secondary School and Paul Sauer High School in Kareedouw.
“The Reel Ubuntu Film Festival is more than just a film screening; it is a celebration of youth creativity and community collaboration. It highlights the incredible potential that exists within our young people when they are given the opportunity to learn, create, and express themselves,” said Geswint.
The screening will take place at King’s College in Jeffreys Bay at 18:00.
For more info, contact Denzil on 065 8577 430 or 081 536 4803, or email info@galaxycastings.co.za.
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