The annual Bokeh SA International Lifestyle & Fashion Film Festival, now in its sixth year, will once again acknowledge and award local and international film talent with an informative festival culminating in the dazzling Red Carpet Gala Awards, where substantial prize money and offerings will be awarded to the talented winning filmmakers.

The festival will take place from 9 to 14 July at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, with the main Gala Awards taking place on Saturday, July 13. The festival in Cape Town includes multiple free screenings, captivating industry presentations, master classes and competitions by the featured sponsors, designers, and filmmakers from 9am to 9pm each day.

“Our passion for fashion is why we decided to be the host venue for the Bokeh Gala Event for the first time this year. The platform, serving as a backdrop to the celebration of fashion and film provides inspiration to the V&A Waterfront’s appeal as the home of luxury fashion,” says Donald Kau, Head of PR & Communications for the V&A Waterfront.

The festival line-up includes panel discussions on social media, vlogging and ethical fashion, DJI drone flying demonstrations, a special effects masterclass by acclaimed SFX artist Chad Waller, a sound editing master lass by international DJ Dino Moran, the Einat Dan International Creative Makeup and Body Art Competition, and much more.

Savanna, described as “the unapologetic cider” by Savanna Marketing Manager Lazola Dali, will also be in attendance. “Savanna has been a proud partner of Bokeh Festival for the past two years [and] we view this platform as the ultimate expression of unapologetic ideas. It allows us to experiment within a very creative space whilst providing a platform for the fashion film industry. So, roll out the yellow carpet Cape Town, get ready for another edition of Bokeh!” Dali says.

With over 500 submissions from 46 countries, entries have been whittled down to the 129 Official Selections that will be shown over the week at various screenings.

“Mercedes-Benz is delighted to be one of the main sponsors for Bokeh South African International Lifestyle & Fashion Film Festival. The collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Bokeh has been a great one that has focused on innovation and exclusivity,” comments Selvin Govender, Marketing Director for Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars, South Africa.

Within the submissions categories, various partner brands have created their own awards.

“Fitch & Leedes is a bespoke range of mixers with a core focus on innovation so when the opportunity to work with Bokeh came up we couldn’t resist the temptation to collaborate. We got straight to work in figuring out unique ways to weave our brand into the Bokeh events. The highlight of the collaboration has been the commissioning of a Fitch & Leedes Fashion Film through the Bokeh network of creators culminating in a R75 000 cash prize for the winning film,” says Dylan Teubes, Fitch & Leedes Digital Content Specialist.

The latest in sound and lighting experiences will be utilised at the festival through Sound Stylists.

Picture: Bokeh

Article written by

Lucinda is a hard news writer who occasionally dabbles in lifestyle writing, and recent journalism graduate. She is a proud intersectional feminist, and is passionate about actively creating a world which is free of discrimination and inequality.