Submissions for our 2024 festival are now open!
*UNFORTUNATELY NO WAIVERS FOR 2024 WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THIS FESTIVAL, THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING*
The 2nd Annual Cape Town Squad International Film Festival took place November 11th at the Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel in Cape Town. This year's festival sponsors included Runway ML, AIVA, Filmscape and Photo Hire. In keeping with the theme of the festival "THE FUTURE OF FILM" the festival included a panel with AI filmmakers and Filmscape. This festival is the first festival in Africa welcoming AI films.
Welcome to the Cape Town Squad International Film Festival, a dynamic and inclusive celebration of cinema from around the world, where we focus on short-films with strong narrative elements and the timeless story telling.
One of the most prominent indie-film festivals in Cape Town, South Africa, with first-time international sponsors including Runway ML, AIVA & FilmScape amongst others.
Our IMDB qualifying festival is dedicated to showcasing the very best of international and African film, and this year's theme explores the exciting possibilities that lie ahead in "The Future of Film."
Founded by actors and filmmakers, Natasha Mayet and Jacques Adriaanse from production company Cape Town Squad in 2020, our boutique film festival and movie nights have quickly become a hub for filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts alike.
From thought-provoking dramas to thrilling sci-fis, captivating commercials and exciting animations, each film is carefully hand-selected and given individual attention including personalised Q&As with the filmmakers. This is one of the only film festivals world wide to include a brand new category for AI Generated Films in keeping with the festival's theme embracing the future of Storytelling.
One of the defining features of our festival is our exploration of the relationship between technology and filmmaking.
Engaging talks with leading industry experts that will provide unique insights into what the future means for filmmakers and actors.
The festival culminates in an awards ceremony, where each winning filmmaker receives a physical award and selected prizes from the sponsors.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
AI Film Category: We take pride in being at the forefront of the future of film by dedicating a unique category to films that creatively and innovatively utilize artificial intelligence in their storytelling, production, or post-production processes.
Inclusion & Gender Neutral Awards: In our commitment to promoting equality and diversity in the film industry, we offer gender-neutral awards to recognize outstanding performances by performers.
A Personal Touch: Our festival takes place at the enchanting rooftop cinema of the historic Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa. We strive to create a warm and intimate environment where filmmakers and attendees can truly connect. Our dedicated team is passionate about providing a personalized experience for all participants, ensuring that every filmmaker feels valued, heard, and celebrated for their unique contribution.
Exclusive Selection: We watch every single film personally and only choose the best. We pride ourselves on curating a highly selective and exclusive official selection of films.
Growing the Film Community: Beyond just a showcase of films, our festival is a vibrant platform for growing the global film community. We encourage networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas, providing filmmakers with opportunities to forge meaningful connections that can elevate their careers and inspire future projects.
SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2024.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @CAPETOWN_SQUAD
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Announcing the WINNERS of THE 2ND ANNUAL CAPE TOWN SQUAD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2023: THE FUTURE OF FILM
CAPE TOWN SQUAD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL *WINNERS*
BEST COMMERCIAL
HOME OF HOPE directed by Franziska Heinemann (South Africa)
BEST FASHION FILM
LVCI directed by Brock Gregory Newman (USA)
BEST DOCUMENTARY THE UNENCUMBERED LIFE OF A FRENCH HOUSE FLY DIRECTED BY Matthieu Brajot (USA)
BEST ANIMATION
THE LAST TRAIN directed by Lodi Paul Inga (South Africa)
BEST SCI-FI
ENTROPY directed by Dan Chen (USA)
BEST AI FILM
EXIMIUM COR directed by John Kalning (USA)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
METAMORPH directed by Cameron Scott Hadlow (South Africa)
BEST EDITING A SECRET directed by Philip Mcnroe Rakesh (USA)
BEST DIRECTOR
SPHINX (Iran) directed by Hamid Yousefi
BEST SCORE
THE LAST TRAIN directed by Lodi Paul Inga (South Africa)
BEST WRITING
WITNESS directed by Aida Tebianian (Iran)
BEST ACTING Fatemeh Masoudifar in WITNESS (Iran)
BEST FILM WITNESS directed by Aida Tebianian (Iran)
Best Animation
Best Sci-fi
BEST AI Film
Best Film
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Score
Best Editing
Best Writing
Best Acting
Audience Choice Award
Best Female Filmmaker