David, Lisa and Auggie Photo: Cape Film Commission

Cape Town, 7 June 2007

The Cape Town film industry has once again opened it’s doors to offer less fortunate children a once in a lifetime experience. For the second year running, the Cape Film Commission has partnered with U.S. Based Charity organization, Hollywood Heart for two Movie Team projects, with unrivalled support from top industry professionals.

The Movie Team project allows 18 children from two Children’s homes each to participate in workshops in various fields of filmmaking, including script writing, camera work, acting, lighting and sound that will culminate in them completing their very own movie.

Hollywood Heart was founded in 1995 as a Summer camp Program by MTV Films’ Executive Vice President David Gale, for children affected and infected with HIV. It has since grown into a number of projects including The Movie Team and has reached out beyond the United States to Africa with the aim of establishing a similar sister organization here in Cape Town.

This year the Movie Team worked with Heatherdale Children’s Home in Athlone and Durbanville Children’s Home in Bellville over a two week period, with film production companies Groundglass and Gatehouse generously handling one of the projects each. Crew and services have been volunteered by various industry professionals, such as international Director of Photography, Robert Payton who has unequivocally offered up his time and some 20 years in international film experience to assist in teaching the children. Payton’s credits include numerous international travel and documentary series with BBC as well as working with big names such as Mel Gibson soccer star David Beckham and Chris Rea.

Hollywood Heart was not only here for the Movie Team projects though. Finalities around a Summer Camp project have been finalized and will take place in April of 2008 as part of the CFC’s social development initiatives. The initiative seeks to grow filmmakers and audiences by engaging and educating youth in the various fields of filmmaking. The CFC will be partnering with Cape Town Tourism as well as creative associations PANSA (Performing Arts Network of South Africa) and WCMA (Western Cape Music Association) for the Summer Camp and will be extending the experience beyond film.

The Cape Film Commission would like to say thank to our soponsors for helping make Hollywood Heart 2007 Movie Teams possible. Tempest Car Hire, Cellular Dynamics, Protea Hotels, Condor Post and Waterfront Studios for doing the post productions and printing all the DVDs.

CFC would also like to send a heart felt thank you to the following companies: One8six, AFM, Food Lab, Discovery, Pulse Crew, Radical Crew, On Track Studio, Prop House, Hot Tuna, Annie’s Wardrobe, Avis Car Rental, Lynn Matthysen Catering, Braam, Hot Tuna, Magus Visual, Wendy Alport, Media Film Services, Gloss Artist Management and KAYOS.