International Guests
Jenny Lund Madsen and Mette Kjærgaard (Chloe Likes Olivia)
Jenny Lund Madsen is a Danish screenwriter born in 1983. Since 2009 she has written professionally for national television in Denmark in genres such as drama, comedy, shows for children and sketch comedy. Since 2004 she has written several short films, of which two are with an LGBT theme. Jenny is currently working on two feature film scripts, one children’s movie and one about the leading activist in Danish LGBT-history, Axel Axgil. Jenny holds a master’s degree in Film Studies from the University of Copenhagen and has written a master thesis about lesbian representation in Danish Cinema. She has also studied screenwriting at the University of California Los Angeles and taught screenwriting at CPH Film and Photo School.
Mette Kjærgaard is born in Odense, Denmark, in 1981. Since 2004 she has worked in the Danish Film Industry as an extra coordinator, production assistant and recently as a 1.A.D. Mette is self taught as a director and Chloe Likes Olivia is her 6th short film. Several of her short films has participated at film festivals around Europe and sold for televison. Chloe Likes Olivia has participated in festivals all over the world and has won a Youth Award. Mette is currently writing a children’s movie along with other projects, she hopes to get in production within the next year.
Madsen and Kjærgaard fly
courtesy of the Danish Film Institute.
M.Caner Alper and Mehmet Binay (Zenne Dancer)
M.Caner Alper started his theatre journey at high school and continued to act and direct at college theatre plays. He wrote in various printed magazines and internet sites until he published his own humoresque stories in 2005. He worked with Turkish film director Kutlug Ataman on screenwriting techniques and attended various classes by Robert McKee about story, genre and drama. Alper produced and co-directed documentaries with Mehmet Binay such as ‘Whispering Memories’, ‘Talking Pictures’ and ‘A long journey of freedom.’ He started studying the vanishing culture of male belly dancers (ZENNE’s) in the Middle East in 2007. Alper and Binay decided to make ZENNE a first feature film project in 2008.
Mehmet Binay studied political science in Germany and started his career as a diplomatic and energy correspondent at a news channel in Turkey. He anchored and produced weekly TV programmes about Turkey’s troubled neighborhood for over three years. Between 2003-2006, Binay documented the construction of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. Binay and M.Caner Alper filmed the story of converted Muslim Armenians in a sequel called ‘Whispering Memories’ and ‘Talking Pictures’. ZENNE DANCER started as a documentary project about the vanishing culture of male belly dancers in the Middle East until Ahmet Yildiz (directors’ common friend) was murdered by his own father in 2008. ZENNE DANCER became a first feature film project for the directors after Ahmet’s tragic murder. Mehmet Binay still works as a professional photographer besides his filmmaking career.
Alper and Binay fly courtesy of Lufthansa.
South African Guests
Justin Archer, Martin Bleazard and Rosanna Scott (Nosiphokazi – One of TWO STORIES)
This film was co-directed by three students at Rhodes University completing their B.Journalism degree in 2012. Justin Archer, from Cape Town, also majored in economics. Martin Bleazard, from Johannesburg is passionate about film, representation, narrative and unearthing South Africa’s hidden stories. They both now work for the non-profit organisation, the Sustainable Seas Trust, producing film and animation on marine issues in the Eastern Cape. Completing the multi-skilled team is Rosanna Scott, now working in Johannesburg and hoping to work on environmental issues.
Samantha Lea (Bros B4 Ho’s)
Samantha Lea is a first-time filmmaker who graduated with an Honors degree in Psychology from the University of Johannesburg in 2009. She is also a photographer, writer, editor and Producer, and is busy working on her first short film. With a passion for exploring and understanding human nature, Samantha uses her innate curiosity and unique perspective to illuminate the landscape of human emotion in unique and refreshing ways.
Karmen Wessels (Kinsey)
Karmen Wessels has always had a passion for film, specifically the short film format. Karmen wanted to make a film about people falling in love, regardless of their gender, and the issues people face when coming to terms with their fluid sexualities. Karmen also did all of the production design for Kinsey and wanted the character’s personalities to be reflected in their surroundings. Karmen has a degree in film production from UCT and is currently studying copywriting at the AAA School of Advertising. Karmen’s passions are writing and making short films about various aspects that affect her and the people around her.”