Picture: Former South African President, the late Dr Nelson Mandela/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
Due to popular demand, the multi award-winning Nelson Mandela African Folktales mini-series will be launched on 18 July 2023 in Johannesburg at the Avalon CineCentre Killarney Mall. The Noble Pictures representative, Claudia Noble-Areff said the Johannesburg event comes after the successful launch that took place in Durban in May 2023.
“The Durban event was a hit amongst guests, media, and the children. Therefore, it is befitting to also launch in the beautiful City of Gold, where Madiba resided following his release from prison. This event will not only celebrate the award-winning stories, but Madiba’s legacy which is internationally commemorated on 18 July.
“The mini-series comprises folktales stories told to Former President Nelson Mandela as a boy in the village of Qunu in Eastern Cape by his mother and the elders. These stories were about the history and folklore of the African Continent, stories which formed and shaped Madiba into the beloved hero he is remembered for today,” Noble-Areff said.
She further said this is a product of Claudia Noble-Areff and Sheldon Noble of Noble Pictures in collaboration with Nanda Soobben of the Centre of Fine Arts Animation and Design. Noble-Areff added that, the mini-series has been showcased in various countries and mesmerising audiences who had the opportunity to watch it.
“It is officially selected in 77 festivals from countries such as United Kingdom (Manchester & London), United States (Chicago, Connecticut, San Antonio, Oklahoma), Australia, Germany, India, South Korea, Japan, Rome, Romania, Turkey, Africa (Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria) and of course South Africa. The mini-series received numerous accolades around the globe.
“From the 77 selections, the films won 26 Best Animation Short Film Awards, an Audience Choice Award and Merit Award, and received 4 Honourable Mentions, 2 nominations and was a finalist in 7 festivals. The films in addition received Sub-Category Awards from 4 Film Festivals for Best Producer, Best Director, Best Art Director, Best Editor, Best Music Composer, Best Animator and Best Screenplay,” said Noble-Areff.
She said the series continues to shine globally. Noble-Areff said nominations and awards they received are testament that they produced stories that needed to be told to the world.
“We have recently returned from the Bali International Film Festival, where our stories were marketed to a completely different target audience that highly appreciated the series. The themes of the folktales deal with love and loyalty, perseverance, responsibility, sharing and trust – all valuable lessons to be learnt and reinforced to the young ones.
“The animated project was produced with the financial support of the KwaZulu Natal Film Commission (KZNFilm) and the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition. The National Film and Video Foundation funded the marketing and distribution of the project and the Gauteng Film Commission funded our festival attendances,” she said.
Noble-Areff said they are extremely grateful to all their funders.
The mini-series films can be streamed on our website: https://www.noblepictures.co.za/
The Guardian 