The Faculty of Humanities in partnership with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) will be hosting the second annual French Films on Campus film festival from 17 May- 28 May 2021. The festival, which will be entirely online, aims to bring French cinema to university audiences in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The selected films and series cross generational and geographical boundaries, offer a wide range of genres and subjects, and present innovations in both style and storytelling. They include films by emerging directors as well as films by respected and renowned figures of French cinema.

Dr. Chris Broodryk, Chair of Drama, School of the Arts, shared that the appeal of French cinema is its ability to use the medium of film as a challenge to the status quo.

“French cinema has a rich and layered history ranging from the very origins of film itself and important movements such as the New Wave, to the films of Francophone filmmakers whose work addresses crucial French socio-political realities that often resonate with adjacent realities in South Africa. Across our countries, these touchpoints provide a starting point for thinking about film’s capacity to challenge the status quo by giving a voice and presence to those who (are often made to) occupy the margins”.

To learn more about the festival, visit: https://www.festivalscope.com/page/french-films-on-up-campus/