Youth tell their stories

The crew were in high spirits during the Dunoon leg of the filming.

A non-profit organisation is running a film-making challenge in Dunoon.

Howard Fyvie and his wife, Christine, run myDunoon, which is using film-making to get young people in the neighbourhood to tell their own stories.

“It’s about telling stories of unity across all cultures. Over 30 young people from Dunoon are involved in the challenge and at the end will produce three short films,” said Mr Fyvie.

“The films are all about trying to tackle the issue of xenophobia within Dunoon and similar communities.”

The films are now in the editing process following two days of filming in Parklands and Dunoon last week. They will be screened at the Dunoon community hall on Heritage Day, Monday September 24.

The film-makers showing the most potential will land a chance to study a three-year degree at City Varsity.

The prize is valued at R250 000 and is sponsored by the 48 Hour Film Project and City Varsity.

Mr Fyvie said they wanted to use the film-making challenge and “creative storytelling” to combat xenophobic attitudes while stimulating the film economy in Dunoon.

Dunoon resident Siphosethu Sisu, 24, is an aspiring actor who produced one of the three films to be screened next month.

“I was never interested in getting into film growing up. I always wanted to get an office job, have a nice car and an apartment. I was forced by my teachers in primary school to start acting in school plays and I guess that’s where the seed was planted,” he said.

Mr Sisu said he never thought it would be so hard to produce a film.

“Everything is in your hands. It’s like you are a pilot. I had to organise everything make sure we have all we need: the venues, equipment, transport, food, actors; and had spreadsheets and call sheets waiting for me. It was exhausting, but I think that I have found my calling and that is in producing,” he said.