The festival, which runs from 19 to 29 July, with principal funding by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, will present
Adventures in Zambezia on 28 July, immediately following the festival award evening.
Director Wayne Thornhill at Triggerfish Studios in Cape Town says: "This coming of age story was a coming of age for the whole crew, and dare I say, South African animation. Over three grueling years, it turned many young, talented people into talented veterans of the industry. I am exceptionally proud to present their work to the world. I think it is of a quality not seen before in South African animation, and that it points to a bright future for a small industry that can punch well above its weight."
The film relates the inspiring tale of an intrepid young falcon, Kai, who seeks out a rumoured bird city called Zambezia, where he hopes to find personal prestige as a talented flyer. But his competitive individualist ways must give way to working together with his fellow feathered friends in order to save the whole community. The film moves away from the predictable narrative of many international animated children's films, towards an entirely fresh, distinctively African structure. While on the one hand this is Kai's story, on the other it is a story about an entire nation - a story of ubuntu.
For more information on the 33
rd Durban
International Film Festival visit
www.durbanfilmfest.co.za.