Lerato Walaza Takes Over Joburg Film Festival

The Joburg Film Festival is officially underway and we had the chance to speak to one of this year’s stars ahead of what’s going to be a magical week of South African film and all of the who’s whos from the big and little screen were in attendance.

ZALebs had the A-list ticket to be on the red carpet as Nomzamo Mbatha led the way in helping us honour the incredible work that South African filmmakers have put in over the past 12 months. It’s been a great year for all aspects of local film; our actors are doing the most locally and internationally; local productions are blowing up the box office; indie features are scooping awards left, right and center across the globe.

So to celebrate Mzansi film with our peers, brothers and sisters was nothing short of amazing. We had a chance to speak to actress, Lerato Walaza who attended the opening night’s red carpet event at Nelson Mandela Square and the MTV Shuga star was absolutely blown away.

Lerato Walaza spoke to ZAlebs and said, “Celebrating local film with people who love and believe in this industry was absolutely incredible. From the red carpet, to the set up , to the staging, it was the perfect event”

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The Joburg Film Festival will be taking place at Nelson Mandela Square where an innovative pop-up structure has been erected for the six-day festival.

In terms of the Highlight of the opening night, Lerato Walaza said, “The highlight was the endless opportunities to be surrounded by the old and new aged filmmakers coming together in a space to celebrate the work proudly produced locally and also be able to exchange ideas that will work in the bettering of our tv and film industry. Also being able to be in the same space with legendary practitioners such as Ntate Zakes Mda and Mme flo Masebe. They are amongst people who have easily grounded my career in acting”

Lerato was one of the lucky few to watch Mzansi’s newest horror flick, the movie 8. She glowed about the cinematography when she said, “Visually and sonically I was GLUED. It was absolutely magical I couldn’t believe what I was saying. I had some reservations about some of the dialogue but take nothing away from what was a really great horror film”.

Her own film, Letters of Hope, will be airing on Friday evening and she revealed that she’s absolutely buzzing at the prospect of seeing her work on the big screen in front of the nation’s biggest movers and shakers. She said, “I hope people see that the growth of the industry is in the hands of young and new/upcoming directors and filmmakers. Fresh faces and new actors are so determined to bring a source of new talent to watch. It is a film that is also inspiring.”

ZAlebs also received a comment from the Joburg Film Festival’s Programme Director Bongiwe Selane via press release who said, “We’re going to be drawing on the expertise of these international experts and stars to help boost the local film industry with a series of Masterclasses and panel discussions this week – and we can’t wait to see all the exciting collaborations which will be born at the 2019 Joburg Film Festival”.

Are you going to be attending the Joburg Film Festival this coming week? Let us know which films you are most excited to watch.

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Image Credit: twitter/_leratowalaza