Indie
South African horror in ‘Night Drive’
A new South African horror movie, Night Drive, produced by The Film Factory goes into production on the 29th of August. Night Drive is a gritty thriller/horror, set against the backdrop of the romantic African bushveld, where an eclectic mix of tourists is left stranded during a night drive. It is only when they realize that they are being hunted by a group of poachers that the terror truly begins. The film is set in the present day and over one night only.
The Film Factory felt it was a natural choice to approach director Justin Head, known for his passion for Africa and the bush, to write and direct Night Drive.
The who’s who of actors have jumped at the chance to star in the movie, says The Film Factory. The stellar cast includes, amongst others; Corine Du Toit (Egoli, Getroud Met Rugby), Brandon Auret (Isidingo, Hansie – The Movie, Angels Song), Leroy Gopal (Backstage, Home Affairs, Scarred Instinct), Greg Melvill-Smith (Mr Bones, 7de Laan, The Bang Bang Club), Clare Marshall (Run for your Wife, Wife begins at 40, Feast of the Uninvited), Yule Masiteng (Mzansi, Scandal, Jozi H), David Sherwood (Shaka Zulu, King Solomon’s Mines, Hansie – The Movie) and Akin Omotoso (Generations, Big Oakes, Isidingo).
Producers C A van Aswegen and James Carroll will not yet reveal who will be playing the lead character role but confirm that he will be instantly recognizable to many television drama series’ fans.
Says Van Aswegen: “From the outset, we have had plans for Night Drive to be released internationally. Since `The African Safari’ plays such an important role in experiencing the `dark continent’, there is going to be an immediate connection and affiliation with audiences everywhere in the world, not only in South Africa.” He continues; “We have already received tremendous interest internationally to release in other territories, so with this in mind we needed to cast an actor who possessed the qualities of an international star. After a long search, we believe we have found him! ”
Night Drive is currently in pre-production and will begin shooting in various locations around South Africa, from 29 August until the end of September 2009 with plans to release in 2010.
Her House of Horrors, the horror division of Independent Production House WOMXNOGRAPHY, has launched its Bite Size Short Grant Program, ahead of its film festival Dollhouse of Horror, which will take place in March 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
The Bite Size Short Grant Program awards $2,000 film grants to female-identifying and queer horror filmmakers. Shorts must be able to be made for $2,000, with a minimum runtime of 8 minutes. Submissions are now open on Filmfreeway, and are being judged by a panel of horror lovers and content creators.
The 2024 Bite Size Short Grant Program judge lineup is as follows:
“James H. Carter II- A documentary director, film producer, podcaster, marketing specialist, and writer. James is the founder and co-owner of Creepy Kingdom. Creepy Kingdom was founded in 2011 and is a multimedia website, and production studio specializing in creepy content. Their primary focus lies at the intersection of childlike fantasy and the macabre, covering horror films, theme parks, haunts, and much more. Beyond their extensive media coverage, Creepy Kingdom hosts events, offers original merchandise, and engages in film production under the Creepy Kingdom Studios brand producing original films like “Foolish Mortals”, exploring Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” fan culture, and “Georgie”, featuring Tony Dakota from the original “It” miniseries.
“In addition to founding Creepy Kingdom, James has won awards for his documentary work, including the award-winning “Foolish Mortals,” which has earned him recognition. He has been featured on Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween special.
“Ashleeta Beauchamp is the editor-in-chief of Peek-A-Boo! Magazine, a cheeky horror magazine created to uplift marginalized writers, artists, models and other creators within the horror community. She also runs The Halloween Coalition, a community group to provide support and marketing for horror and Halloween events around the Southern California area.
“Titeanya Rodríguez is a multi-hyphenate creative, and the founder and owner of HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, home of DOLLHOUSE OF HORROR and the horror division of WOMXNOGRAPHY. As a fellow storyteller and a self-proclaimed artivist, Titeanya’s mission is to create opportunities for women of color and queer women, across film, tv, sports, music, and beyond. She is also the creator of the BITE SIZE SHORT grant program.”
Winners will have a one-night theatrical screening at Regal Cinemas. Submissions Close April 8 at Midnight. Winners will be announced on May 27, 2024. Shorts must be shot and through post-production by June 30, 2024. The screening will take place on July 8, 2024, in Los Angeles, CA.
WOMXNOGRAPHY, HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, and Rodriguez are represented by Azhar PR, Granderson Des Rochers, and Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir.
To submit your short to the Bite Size Short Grant Program, go to the FilmFreeway link here.
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