IMBO Magazine Issue 32 | Page 56

NETWORKING D i s c ov e r f r e s h films First Wednesday film club is bridging the gap between local talent and their audience I n the idealistic words of Steven Spielberg, “You shouldn’t dream your film, you should make it.” The sad reality however is that talented filmmakers who have not made it into the mainstream, like Spielberg, don’t have the luxury of knowing that their films will be viewed anywhere outside of their family’s living room. This reality is more hard-hitting for African filmmakers. Enter First Wednesday Film Club. First Wednesday Film Club was started by acclaimed directors John Barker (Bunny Chow) and Ziggy Hofmeyr (31 Million Reasons) in 2004. Started on the premise of not relying on the mainstream movie circuit to discover or showcase local talent. Boasting an audience of 150 – 250 people , attendees are enticed by the chance to view some quality, local films. IMBO/ ISSUE 32/ '14 56 " YO U SHOULDN’T D R E A M YO U R F I L M , YO U SHOULD M A K E I T.”