The Cape Tourism Showcase which is aimed at providing both emerging and established business, leisure and events tourism products from Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape is coming up between 15 and 17 September 2006. Cape Town Routes Unlimited and the Tourism Business Forum has created this platform for the industry to exhibit their products and services and network with tour operators/buyers and tourism local and international role players.

Thebe Exhibitions has been appointed to manage the Cape Tourism Showcase 2006 which will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Application forms for Tourism trade to participate in the showcase are available and can be obtained by contacting Thebe Exhibitions. Applications for Exhibitors close on the 13th August 2006.Thebe Exhibitions has been appointed to manage the Cape Tourism Showcase 2006 which will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Application forms for Tourism trade to participate in the showcase are available and can be obtained by contacting Thebe Exhibitions. Applications for Exhibitors close on the 13th August 2006.

The Community Arts Workshop is currently running a 3-month studio residency program at the Castle of Good Hope in the Adam Tas Room with a group of 13 visual artists from July to September 2006.

These emerging and established artists; Mzukisi Somdaka, Alfred Budasa, Alessandra Desole, Vuhile Voyiya, Lizette Chirrime, Kate Smith, Ernest Fulani, Ashar Mhlongo, Robert Robson, Toni Mhayi, Vivien Kohler, Sophie Peters and Deon Cupido are presently working on a body of work towards their own exhibitions.

With the support of the Community Arts Workshop and sponsorship from well-known fashion retail company, Truworths Ltd, the studio has been running for the past three months. Together, we aim to provide a supportive base for visual artists to enhance their skills and knowledge to enable them to improve their earning capacity, meet their personal goals and have opportunity for advancement.

On review, the Truworths Social Involvement Trust has expressed their continued support for the program.

This provides an exciting opportunity for the artists, sharing, developing and expanding their network.

The studio is open to the public between 10am and 3pm daily. If you would like to set up an appointment or for any further details, please feel free to contact either: Robert Robson +27 (0)83 529-9181 or Kate Smith +27 (0)83 343 1551 or send caw@telkomsa.net or alternatively visit us at The Castle of Good Hope, Adam Tas Room from 10am - 4pm

Every year Encounters brings to South African audiences 'factional' films. Films that often contradict popular beliefs, but that still allow people to make up their own minds about what is happening in the world - the intimate, the political, the musical, the personal.

This year, Encounter's 8th, is no different - the 56 titles (21 South African, 5 African and 31 international) provide fascinating subject matter. The excellent line up has been chosen from over 550 films, a record number that is a sure sign that Encounters is now recognised as an important festival by local and international filmmakers alike.

Loose themes encompass the full spectrum of human experience, and include inspiring Journalists on the Edge, provocative Food For Thought, an unconventional look at The Race Debate and Revisiting Colonialism, revealing investigations into the Results of War, a focus on Africa, highly personal Questions of Family and Society, and a rocking Business of Music section.

This year the Festival has moved to new venues - Nu Metro Hyde Park and V & A Waterfront.

Two influential directors are receiving special attention this year. In his lifetime, the great French auteur Jean Rouch created a formidable body of work, mostly in West Africa. The tiny selection Les Maitres Fous, Petit A' Petit, and Chronique D'Un Ete (Mad Masters, Little by Little and Chronicle of a Summer) at Encounters gives audiences a taste of his groundbreaking approach and innovative style that gave birth to Cinéma vérité. Encounters, assisted by the French Embassy, will host Bernard Sugurue, Claude Haffner and Sue Levine, colleagues of Rouch, who will provide an invaluable glimpse into Rouch's world.

Always managing to endearingly bumble himself into the most outlandish situations, Nick Broomfield is one of Britain's most respected documentary filmmakers. His lens has captured and investigated the personalities of many of the world's most infamous people, among them Aileen Wuornos, Heidi Fleiss and Margaret Thatcher. For this Encounters, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love (Kurt & Courtney), Biggie Smalls and Tupac (Biggie & Tupac), and our very own Eugene Terreblanche (His Big White Self) come into not so flattering focus.

Polygamy, misinterpretation, religion, regal matriarchy and madness - these are the visions of other African cultures from across the continent. The five titles of the African Focus are Si-Guériki La Reine Mère, Le Malentendu Colonial, Cinq x Cinqi, Une Fenêtre Ouverte, and Mo and Me (Si-Guériki The Queen Mother, The Colonial Misunderstanding, Five x Five, A Window Opened).

Jean-Marie Teno, director of The Colonial Misunderstanding will be attending. As will Salim Amin for Mo and Me, a film of his father's life as a photojournalist in Africa. Others in the Journalists on the Edge theme are the Oscar® nominated The Death of Kevin Carter , a member of the South African Bang Bang Club, and The Black Road, an affecting portrait of Aceh's little known war.

The topic Food For Thought uncovers how clinical food production can be (Our Daily Bread), but occasionally isn't (The Real Dirt on Farmer John and Johny Apples - the last Strandlooper (a World Première)). It also shows the tenuous pact that exists between man and nature - and when man ventures into nature's domain, just what can happen (Conflict Tiger).

Films that bring joy to the world are the New York kids learning to dance in Mad Hot Ballroom and the Neapolitans' superstitious obsession with the Lotto in Dreaming by Numbers. Family perceptions and identities are re-analysed in 51 Birch St, 100% Human, My Grandmother's House, and local films Homesick and The Mothers' House. Music uplifts entire communities in Favela Rising, Mr Devious: My Life, Glastonbury and Dave Chappelle's Block Party.

Three titles from the Archives remind us of a history best never forgotten. These somewhat chilling retrospective views of the old South Africa sit in contrast to a record 21 vibrant, fascinating and insightful new South African films. These include the innovative Black on White series (The Heart of Whiteness, Inja Yomlungu, Men of Gold, Different Pigment). Encounters is also hosting a debate about Race and Identity in South African filmmaking. Be sure to catch the 24 local directors at the screenings of their films.

Political titles cover a gamut of issues. First are two views of the ongoing Palestine situation (Leila Khaled Hijacker (Leila Khaled will be a guest) and the poignant Another Road Home. The from America's politically-tied economy (Enron, the Smartest Guys in the Room and The American Ruling Class) to issues surrounding Iraq (Iraq in Fragments and Gitmo: The New Rules of War) that include the detention of prisoners, Saddam among them (Saddam Hussein, The Trial) and the use of private armies (Shadow Company). Other fascinating political films include Excellent Cadavers that chronicles the Mafia's murderous grip on Italy, Friends of Kim sheds an interesting new light on North Korea and sheds light for sympathetic Europeans. Our Brand is Crisis, shines the spotlight on morally-bankrupt electioneering processes driven by American 'image-consultants'. Encounters is not just about the titles - though that is a major part of it. It is about developing new documentaries and taking a wealth of films to other areas. With this in mind, Encounters is hosting various Master Classes including one presented by Sky Sitney, Programme Director for Silverdocs. The SABC are hosting industry-specific workshops on Authorship & Ownership in African Storytelling and Your Business is Our Business! (How to get the best out of working with the SABC in the future).

The Encounters' Outreach Programme, sponsored by European Union's Conference Workshop and Cultural Initiative Fund (CWCI) means that we will be screening thirteen films, including the World Première of Echoes of the Past by Thabang Molibeli, at the Funda Centre in Soweto and Zolani Centre in Nyanga. Encounters In-reach programme will provide transport and 1800 complimentary tickets for film students and members emerging filmmakers.

Encounters is made possible through the sponsorship of the NFVF, the SABC, the European Union's Conference Workshop and Cultural Initiative Fund (CWCI), Jameson (for our Audience Award and libations), Nu Metro, Exclusive Books and OpenNetworks. Other organisations that provide vital assistance are the Department of Arts and Culture, British Council, French Embassy, Holland Film and the Swedish Film Institute.

Visit www.encounters.co.za for full information on the Films, Master Classes, Workshops, Guest Filmmakers and screening schedules.

Contact Sheet

For further press enquiries please contact: Lungeleni Zondi +27 (0)83 738 5977 project@encounters.co.za

For the second year running, the Croisette Corner Restaurant next to the Palais became South Africa House, with new, highly distinctive branding that celebrated that something extra that the South African commercials industry offers the international market. It was, for the main 4 days of the festival, a thriving hub and meeting place for South African industry players with a constant flow of international delegates from all over the world and sponsors & members reported back on an even higher number of client meetings than last year.

This year’s initiative was funded by both private and public entities: the Cape Film Commission (CFC), the Durban Film Office (DFO), the DTI (who made the decision to be a major sponsor as well as provide funding for local companies to attend through an EMIA scheme) and a number of individual SAX members. Platinum sponsors were: Africa Film Services, Condor, Film Hub (Reel Africa, Collective Energy & Maximum Films), Gatehouse, Groundglass, Media, Moonlighting, One Step Beyond; Silver sponsors were: Atkinson Television, Atomik Pictures, BLM Productions, Maximum Exposure, Orange Films, Pioneer Freight, SB Productions, Shooting Gallery & Terraplane; Bronze sponsors were: Kalahari Pictures.

The CFC was the key, public driver of the initiative, having recognized the considerable contribution that the commercials sector makes to the South African Film Industry, and carried a significant proportion of the responsibility. “The CFC was especially excited about this particular initiative,” commented Laurence Mitchell – Cape Film Commission. “The SA Exposed working group was very enthusiastic about showcasing the local film/commercials industry fairly and objectively with the aim of furthering the industry in terms of growth, quality and value. As a voluntary partnership the SA Exposed working group worked fantastically hard in ensuring the success of this initiative”.

This year’s success was increased by the constant use of the house by the SA advertising industry and the overwhelming and unique level of friendship and cooperation enjoyed by all sponsors and participants of the house. It wasn’t about competition but about friendly collaboration, and created an incredible atmosphere that was commented on by numerous international visitors.

The highly applauded SAX branding was developed by Michael Stallenberg and Kenny Thomas of Cape Town based BE company Co-Brand, and David Gimpel and Joel Wynne of Brands Hatch. Both Kenny and Michael attended Cannes Lions as delegates for the first time through a full sponsorship from SAX. As Michael commented, “As delegates to the conference we got to listen to some great speakers & got to see some of the best commercials & print advertising campaigns in the world. That can only be a plus for us. It first of all gives us an indication of where the global market is at, communication-wise & keeps us up-to-date with shifts in the industry. What we experienced there we've captured in our heads & we'll live off that until the next event in a year's time.”

Highlights included the DTI hosted opening cocktail party that became a celebration for FCB’s Lions Grand Prix (a first for South Africa). Over 200 from South Africa’s production and advertising industries partied to the sounds of Goldfish and Forgotten Frequency, who had been flown over especially for the festival, with wine & beer provided by Lourensford Estate and SABM. And then there were all the international delegate enticing extras! Like the wireless hot spot (sponsored by Atkinson Television); the reels showcasing the best of South African – and international / shot in South Africa – commercials; the daily afternoon viewing of the World Cup; the SAX branded menus & distinctively designed goodie bags; the materials on display from SAX members, sponsors, the CFC and the DFO and even the Saturday screening of the South Africa - France Rugby match…..

And of course, there was the Shots / South Africa Exposed party! Right from the co-branding on the invitations that were sent to 1000’s of the world’s industry players, it was clear that co-hosting Cannes’ main party with the leading global advertising publication was going to set South Africa apart.

After months of preparation, including representatives from Shots flying out to meet with the SAX working group in Cape Town, and “exporting” all the South African ingredients to theme the party – led undoubtedly by Electro-Jazz duo Goldfish and DJ’s Forgotten Frequency - the party was described as “the best Shots party in the last 6 years”. “South Africa gave a breath of fresh air to the party” commented Shots Commercial Manager Charles Said. “Everything presented a clear South African theme which wasn’t intrusive but which allowed the invited delegates the social arena that the event tries to create. South Africa House and the party branding were spot on. Shots is very positive in pursuing a long term partnership with South Africa Exposed.”