CAPTION: Film Fiji acting CEO Mrs Florence Swamy talking to the media at Port Denarau recently. Photo: MUNAUWAR KHAN.
The 2013 Kula Film Awards and Tuckers Ice Cream Fijiwood Dance Competition is now underway!
Film Fiji’s Acting CEO Florence Swamy said “the Awards provide an important platform for young people to voice their opinions creatively through the medium of the motion picture”. She added that there is a wealth of talent amongst our young people and she encouraged all the participants to use the opportunity that the Kula Film and Tuckers Ice Cream Fijiwood Dance Awards presented to showcase these talents. She encouraged the participants to consider developing these talents professionally so that they become important players in the development of the audio visual industry in future.
Ms. Swamy added that the Awards continue to target young people as they are the future of the industry. High school students are at the stage where they’re considering career paths and the Awards is a way to “nudge” them towards considering careers in the audio visual industry, especially in filmmaking. She added that as more and more films will be shooting in Fiji, it was important that we have a strong pool of local cast and crew to support these productions and the Awards will assist in achieving this.
Film Fiji wishes to acknowledge the sponsors who have made hosting this event again possible. Sponsorship has been received from Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) Radio and TV, Fiji Sun, LICI, Telecom Fiji Limited (TFL), Magnum Productions, G Lal & Co, Munro Leys, Global Business & Legal Consultancy, International Freight & Clearance Service Ltd, Ministry of Industry & Trade, Ministry of Education, Department of Heritage & Culture, Fiji National University (FNU), Vodafone, Webmedia and South Pacific Recordings(SPR).
Film Fiji is fortunate to also have Tuckers Ice Cream support which has allowed us to continue to host an increasingly popular dance competition.
Film Fiji has received 31 entries in the film competition this year and 26 schools will be taking part in the dance competition. The focus of the dance competition is FIJIWOOD – a fusion of song and dance reflecting the multiracial and multicultural nature of our country.
“The film competition will continue to have an “Open Category”, aimed at attracting entries from amateur filmmakers” said Mrs. Swamy. This category is for people who have a keen interest in filmmaking but have left the schools system. The provision of this category is to ensure that the interest in filmmaking nurtured in schools continues after students have left the school system. Recognizing amateur and professional filmmakers will also lead to the creation of an active local film industry.
For the schools film competition, Awards will be presented for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director , Best Script , Best Original Music, Best Camera-work and the main award, the Kula Best Film. The public will vote for the “Most Popular Film” Award.
Schools participating in the film and dance competition will receive professional training and details of this will be released shortly.
All schools’ entries will be shown on FBC TV.
The Tuckers Ice Cream Fijiwood Dance Competition will be held on the 26th of July and Kula Film Awards on the 27th of July at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva.
Tickets for both nights will go on sale from mid June.
FILM FIJI