Out of the 220 films screened during the seven-day event which took place in the US recently, For Love and Broken Bones won the Jury Narrative Feature section having been chosen by a pool of jury members that included David Cress (producer of Portlandia), Abby Davis (agent from Preferred Content), Rob Hatch (48 Hour Film Festival), Mark Shapiro (Laika), William Martell (Script.net), Randall Jahnson (The Doors, Zorro) and Gordy Hoffman (Blue Cat Screen Play Competition).

Furthermore, For Love and Broken Bones has since been selected for the 6th annual New York City Independent Film Festival, which is set to take place from Monday, 12 to Sunday, 18 October.

Made by The Bomb Shelter, the production company behind cutting edge and acclaimed television series such as Yizo Yizo, Jacob’s Cross, Isibaya and The Road, and directed by Tebogo Malope, with a screenplay by Malope and Libby Dougherty (Isibaya), For Love and Broken Bones is about a lonely and ruthless debt collector who falls in love with a feisty and passionate wedding planner, who also happens to be his latest assignment.

Can they both overcome their old fears and let love into their lives? And can he save her and her son in time, before his powerful and dangerous boss comes to get his money back? The film stars Lerato Mvelase (Home Affairs, Thola) and Mduduzi Mabaso (Rhythm City, Hotel Rwanda, Blood Diamond) amongst others. The film was commissioned by Mzansi Magic as part of a slate of four made for TV movies.

Says producer Desiree Markgraaff: “We are so delighted that For Love and Broken Bones has been recognised with such a prestigious award, and all credit to Tebogo who really poured his heart and soul into this project to deliver a stunning debut. He was supported by cinematographer Zeno Petersen and art director Dylan Lloyd, a very passionate filmmaking trio.” 

For Love and Broken Bones was directed by Tebogo Malope from a screenplay by Tebogo Malope and Libby Dougherty and produced by Desiree Markgraaff and Angus Gibson for The Bomb Shelter.