Media Village Productions, located in Durbanville South Africa, has once again caught the attention of international judges at the 168 Film Festival in LA, with the film Tula Tula.
Diane Vermooten, founder of Media Village Productions after hearing the news said, “We strive to tell African stories with dignity and excellence and this is being recognized around the world.”
The film, Tula Tula, a medical thriller received 12 nominations making it the top-nominated film of the festival this year. In 2013 Media Village Productions received 6 awards for their film Freedom Road.
Tula Tula, directed by Shane Vermooten, (nominee for Best Director) is a short film highlighting the plight of medical doctors in Africa.
Shane says, “During the research for this film we spoke to doctors who told us of the horrific decisions that rural hospitals are often forced to make, such as, who receives medicine and who doesn’t and therefore ultimately, who lives and who dies. This is made more heartbreaking by the fact that Malaria is both preventable and curable; but mismanagement, corruption and greed, at all levels in the supply chain, from the pharmaceutical companies, governments, and distributors, to doctors prevent the drugs from reaching those in need.”
Greg Kriek, nominated for Best Actor, plays Dr Schmit – a young, confident German doctor who comes to Africa to gain experience in a rural hospital. He learns more than he expects when the case he faces does not conform to his academic text books. His life is changed forever as he confronts the Malaria crisis in Africa head-on.
The movingly emotive role of Dr Sante, played by Tshamano Sebe, added an age and weight to the cast. Tshamano has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor while co-stars, Anele and Pumza Matoti, have received nominations for the same category.
Producer and writer Diane Vermooten says, “We knew shooting in Woodstock hospital, set-dressing was always going to be a big job but one that was creatively overcome, as Tula Tula has been nominated for Best Production Design.”
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Other nominations include: Best Film, Best International Film, Best Screenplay, Best Sound Design, Best Make-up and Best-behind-the-scenes.
The official award ceremony will be held on 13 September 2014, at the Aratani theatre, Los Angeles.
Watch the trailer here: