The 35th Durban International Film Festival began last night with the world premiere of Zee Ntuli's feature debut, Hard to Get.
The festival will screen the largest number of local films in its history - 40 feature films and 38 short films.
There are 200 screenings scheduled over the 10 days. The Times picked five of the most anticipated feature films.
Omar
Director: Hany Abu-Assad
About: This Oscar nominee for best foreign language film is set in the West Bank. Omar is a Palestinian baker who climbs over the separation wall to meet his Israeli girlfriend, Nadja. But does love conquer all?
Love is strange
Director: Ira Sachs
About: Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina) tie the knot after 39 years together. But the Catholic school where George teaches disapproves and fires him. The two have to split up and stay with pals.
Between friends
Director: Zuko Nodada
About: This South African romcom, which is making its world premiere, reminds us of Lawrence Kasdan's 1980s comedy, The Big Chill.Both films look at a reunion of university friends and, in the midst of the hilarity, old secrets are exposed. It stars Thapelo Mokoena, Dumisani Mbebe and Amanda DuPont.
The selfish giant
Director: Clio Barnard
About: This sobering film is inspired by the Oscar Wilde story of the same name. Two best friends, Arbor (Conner Chapman) and Swifty (Shaun Thomas), work for a scrap dealer in Bradford, England.
Million dollar arm
Director: Craig Gillespie
About: For the feel-good charm it promises, this two-hour film excites us. It follows beleaguered sports agent JB Bernstein's (Jon Hamm) trip to India in search of a young cricketer to turn into a major league baseball pitching star. He discovers two18-year-olds who have no clue about baseball but pack a punch.
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