Been Around The World

Now in its 9th year Out In Africa is a real celebration of African Gay and Lesbian film. The festival this year covered some 50 films and played in three cities (Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban) during March - that sounds like no mean feat, but it was something the enthusiastic committee behind Out In Africa pulled off with great flair - to rave reviews.

Out In Africa prides itself on its current work to expand and promote the talents of Lesbian and Gay Film makes all across Africa. They have a number of initiatives including:

FILM PRODUCTION OIA is committed to the development of queer filmmaking in South Africa and administered scriptwriting workshops in 1999 and 2000. It provided production funds for two scripts developed in these workshops, and for a feature film, all of which were screened at the Festival this year. In 2001 they contributed funding for: Mpumi Njinge's Everything Must come To Light; in 2002 for Gerald Kraak's Property of the State: Gay Men in the Apartheid Military; and for the South African - Canadian co-production feature Proteus by John Greyson and Jack Lewis. OIA is in line to profit from the international theatrical and television sales of the two latter titles. These profits will be invested in future film productions.

FILM DISTRIBUTION Out In Africa and Stargate Distribution International have jointly purchased the distribution rights (theatrical, television, video and DVD) of the feature film L.I.E. that was being screened at the Festival this year. It will be released on the Cinema Nouveau screened by Nedbank circuit soon. They hope to make a tidy profit, which they use to invest in new South African productions and purchase other titles for distribution here.

LESBIAN FILM PRODUCTION Out In Africa are making the call throughout Africa for 15-minute scripts for lesbian films. They will choose 5 stories to take into production. They've canvassed every dyke they know in the industry and they're all willing to help - the directors, producers, art directors, production designers, cinematographers, focus pullers, wardrobe, even the caterers, not to mention the actors. Now, all they need are the stories, the money will come…. Find out more about it on their website.

VIDEO SUITCASE Out In Africa aren't people to say still for long. So they are off OUT! Out of the cities, into the countryside and across the borders. With funding from the British Council, specifically for an outreach programme, Out Of Africa intends to create "video suitcases" for distribution to rural areas and to Botswana, Mauritius, Namibia and Zimbabwe. They are negotiating for the rights for distribution of about 30 titles, which they'll package, tailored to suit the target audiences. These titles will include a selection of documentaries, short dramas and feature films, which will be distributed for free.

So that's what the boys and girl's in Africa are upto. There really is a whole world of festivals out there. Out In Africa will be on again next March - so you could always visit it before you come to London. Let's be sure and use film to get gay and lesbian people around the world holding hands, celluloid and popcorn!

Colm OutUK

Out In Africa's website can be found at www.oia.co.za
You can find more information about gay and lesbian travel at www.outuk.com/outgoing