Behind the glitz and the glam is the man who started it all, and established this highly reputable platform for aspiring fashion filmmakers to showcase their talent and stand a chance to win a really amazing prize. Owner of Mercury Productions and Founder of Mercedes-Benz Bokeh International South African Film Festival, Adrian Lazarus, gives us the low down on everything we can expect from this year’s Bokeh Film Festival.
GLAMOUR: The Mercedes-Benz Bokeh South African International Fashion Film Festival is one of the most creative and inspiring fashion film festivals globally. What is your role as one of the founders the festival in South Africa?
Adrian: I see myself as the leader of a very creative and driven team , who support me in creating what I think is the best Fashion Film Festival in the world! I am fortunate as well to have driven partners and sponsors, who allow me creative freedom to visualize the festival and the backing to exercise our passion for all to see.
GLAMOUR: What would describe you as being a fashion film?
Adrian: I see fashion films as being the next big thing in helping the marketing and advertising of brands. Fashion films embrace the essence of a brand and tell a short story in a few minutes. These fashion films talk of the lifestyle of a brand, and are usually subtle, entertaining and visually rich. Fashion Films are Art!
GLAMOUR: What does the Mercedes-Benz Bokeh International South African Film Festival aim to achieve?
Adrian: We aim to highlight the genre of fashion films while giving young creatives, fashion designers and filmmakers a global platform to showcase their craft. We also aim to entertain and offer master classes and talks concerning the different fields.
GLAMOUR: How can film-makers participate in the festival?
Adrian: The Mercedes-Benz Bokeh South African International Fashion Film Festival allows filmmakers on all levels the opportunity to submit their works for consideration at the festival. The submissions are free and we encourage entries both locally and abroad. My team and I are in the process of delivering talks and screenings at various high schools, colleges and film schools where we open up the idea of the students submitting fashion films to us. The talks are very well received and we also encourage the students to sign up to the daytime programs free of charge at Eventbrite.com.
GLAMOUR: This is the 3rd year of the Bokeh festival, what are the judges looking for when choosing winning films this year?
Adrian: The judges will be looking for material that is entertaining, relevant, well shot and not too long! The average duration of a fashion film is about 3 minutes. We have seen the standard improve year on year and the submissions received for 2016 are world class! I must stress that budget has very little to do with a winning film – if your idea and story are good, your film will be well received. Lots of money can’t fix a poor film
GLAMOUR: Who are the judges for this year’s festival?
Adrian: We will be announcing the judges on the 12th of March as the submission closing date is the 29th of February.
GLAMOUR: The festival brings together creatives in the Film, Fashion, Artistic and related technical industries to celebrate their craft, where is it being hosted this year?
Adrian: We are proud to announce that the festival will be hosted in a new venue at the V&A Waterfront over the 22nd and 23rd April 2016.
GLAMOUR: Ever thought about bringing on a celebrity to host the event to elevate its publicity exposure?
Adrian: If I could only tell you who we are looking at for 2017 I think your head would spin. That said, we are an International festival and at the point where people know us now around the world. We have managed to rise up in two years to become a very talked about affair. Keep watching – it’s all happening at Bokeh!
GLAMOUR: The fashion is always the most exciting at the event, having a best dressed prize this year by any chance?
Adrian: We actually did that the first year in the Johannesburg festival and it proved a logistical nightmare with the winner having left early, and the next winner being family member of staff – so by the time we got to the actual winner the moment was gone. We may try something along those lines again, but not for 2016. I consider every single guest of ours to be a VIP, with their own sense of fashion and style, and I encourage everyone to dress up and experience the Red Carpet with us. You won’t need a prize – just being with us you feel like a winner!
GLAMOUR: What are you looking forward to most at this years event?
Adrian: Fashion, Creativity, Fashion Films and the look on peoples faces when they see what we have in store for them at the venue.
Entry is to the festival is free – just go to www.eventbrite.com and search Bokeh.
