The locally made short film 'The Suit' has been selected for a leading New York film festival - and could now be in the running for an Oscar nomination.
The film, based on a story by Can Themba and featuring John Kani and his son Atandwa, has been selected for the 20th Urbanworld Film Festival - one of 85 qualifying festivals for Academy Award nominations.
Director Jarryd Coetsee said he had heard the news on July 19 but had to keep mum until festival organisers released the official programme this week. The festival will be held next month.
"We were over the moon and I felt like I would burst not being able to share the thrilling news with the entire team, family, friends and followers," said Coetsee.
"I will be attending the festival with the producer, Luke Sharland, and we are trying to arrange support to enable our lead cast to also attend."
The film is set in '50s Sophiatown and tells the story of Philemon, played by Atandwa, who finds his wife, Matilda (Phuthi Nakene) in bed with a young man.
The young man flees, leaving behind his suit, which Philemon forces Matilda to treat as if it were a person.
She must serve the "visitor" meals, take it to church and for walks around the neighbourhood.
Coetsee said the film was also a comment "on the brutal effects of forced removals".
In addition, The Suit has been selected from a pool of more than 200 films for Africa in Motion, a festival in Scotland aimed at showcasing the best of African cinema. It will be shown in Glasgow and Edinburgh in October.
It will also be shown at the Shnit International Short Film Festival in Bern, Switzerland.
"We are delighted by this significant international recognition," Coetsee said.
"We are also thrilled by the prospect of sharing this powerful story with a wider global audience."
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