INDEPENDENT SHORT FILMS
The Silwerskerm Festival builds on its offering of independent short films. Traditionally the majority of short films screened at the festival was initiated, financed and mentored by the Silwerskermfees Short Film Project. This year, yet again, the festival boasts independent short films by local filmmakers in a variety of genres and indigenous South African languages.
Bosryer
GENRE: Thriller, drama, neo-western
DIRECTOR: Aadil Dhalech
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Fabian Vettiger
CAST: Nicole Fortuin, Daniel Mpilo Richards, Sherman Pharo and Earl Hendricks
PRODUCTION HOUSE: Protagonist Studios, Patriot Films and The Be Phat Motel Film Company
AGE RESTRICTION: 16L D
Jody, a tenacious young woman, lives and works on a horse farm in the Klein Karoo. After Dino, the handsome stable hand, teaches her to ride horses, she falls for him. Soon, Jody discovers Dino is an ex-addict, indebted to Saalie, the local kingpin who runs a drug trafficking operation. To work off his debt, Dino works as a "bosryer" (bush rider) running tik (crystal meth) on horseback by moonlight to evade the police. When Dino relapses, Jody is forced to do the dangerous run on his behalf – or he will be killed. Jody proves herself to be a very capable "bosryer" and finds herself in a world of trouble.
SHORT FILM PROJECT – Established filmmakers
This category, which offers established filmmakers funding and a platform to showcase their craft at the festival, is part of the festival for the third time this year. A condition for participation in the category is that the filmmakers mentor less-experienced team members.
Poppy on the Hill
GENRE: Drama
DIRECTOR: Winford Collings
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Gray Kotze
SCRIPTWRITER: Winford Collings
CAST: Lauren Joseph, Marunzo Thomas, Charlene le Roux and Maurice Carpede
PRODUCTION HOUSE: Winnow Productions
AGE RESTRICTION: 10-12 PG
When their beloved grandmother Poppy dies, Laila and her brother, Josh, return to the Namaqualand farm where they spent most of their lives. For Laila, one thing is certain: Poppy must be buried alongside her parents in the ground where generations of their family have lived. But the farm has since changed hands, and the new owners refuse permission for the burial. Laila refuses to accept this and decides to fulfill Poppy's wish. But what does it really mean to honor those we have lost? And what is the price you must pay to reclaim a past that is not...
