‘Surviving Gaza’ a film produced and co-written by AFDA Johannesburg writing lecturer Naledi Bogacwi and directed by AFDA Masters (MFA) student Vusi Africa has received a massive 13 nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards. The nominations include Best Film, Best Director, Best Film in an African Language, Achievement in Soundtrack, Achievement in Makeup, Achievement in Production Design, Achievement in Visual Affects, Achievement in Sound, Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in Screenplay, Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Young Promising Actor.
“I have to say being nominated in 13 categories at Africa’s biggest awards ceremony is a real honour. It is moments like this that make the hard work worth it.” says AFDA Masters student Vusi Africa.
‘Surviving Gaza’ premiered on eMedia’s eVOD online streaming platform in February 24, 2022.
The film, which is set against the vibrant kwaito era in South Africa tells the story of Phuzi, a 17-year-old who faces some difficult decisions when he must choose between his desire for a career in kwaito, love, and a life of crime.
His childhood sweetheart returns to Gaza soon after Phuzi’s family bury his grandfather, as if he didn’t have enough on his plate already.
Thandeka’s homecoming not only gives Phuzi hope for a better future, but it also offers some good news: that a kwaito tournament is looking for contestants. Thandeka believes that Phuzi has what it takes to succeed in the competition. But, at the same time, his friends are set to establish themselves as a crime duo.
“At the backdrop of kwaito rests the story of the South African youth and their dreams. “Surviving Gaza” pays homage to kwaito and what it has done for cultural activism in South Africa” says Naledi.
This is the second feature film produced and written by Naledi and directed by Vusi, the first being the multi-award winning film “Letters of Hope” which won the award for Artistic Bravery at the Durban International Film Festival and subsequently saw Vusi being awarded the inaugural SAFTA Golden Horn award for Best Emerging Filmmaker.
Vusi is currently in post-production with “Banned: Joe Bullet” which is directed and written by Naledi and produced Vusi. The project has recently participated at the Encounters Doc Fest, Africa Rough Cut Lab 2022 where it was awarded the Full Colour Grade prize to be executed at Cult Studios in Cairo Egypt.
The Africa Movie Academy Awards, popularly known as AMAA and The AMA Awards, is presented annually to recognize excellence among professionals working in, or non-African professionals who have contributed to, the African film industry. It was founded by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and is run through the Africa Film Academy.
