Press Release
The 2008 Namibia Film Awards

For immediate release

„And the (N)Oscar goes to…“

Wednesday 16 April it is time again to roll out the Red Carpet at the National Theatre of Namibia. To mark the closing of the 8th edition of the Windhoek International Film Festival, the Namibia Film Awards will be handed out for the second time in Namibian history, rewarding local film makers with both prize money and recognition for their productions in competition at this year’s festival.
Those not on the A-list will still be able to get tickets for N$50.00 at the NTN-Box Office (12 John Meinert St.) or at the Wild Cinema Offices (8 Pettenkofer Str.) with a bit of luck.

Wild Cinema’s tagline for this year’s festival invited audiences during the last 2 weeks to „Open Your Mind”, and offered as fare 23 international and 12 local productions as well as 15 Namibian music videos to do exactly that.

In order to support the development of Namibia’s film industry the best local productions will be publicly recognized and rewarded with the Namibia Film Awards. Initiated at last year’s festival, the Film Awards afford local producers a stepping stone to the international film making arena.

Endorsed and partly financed by the Namibia Film Commission as well as other sponsors and supporters of the local industry, the awards were cured by a five-piece jury (Robin Tyson, Rosa Namises, Vickson Hangula, Michaela Bauer und Michael Mansfield) and handed out in 10 different categories. In total 11 trophies will mark film makers’ finest hour at the awards, including, for the first time, the genre specific Best Music Video. But the award most eagerly expected will be the Audience Choice Award, voted for by festival goers during the past 10 days of screenings at all the venues. Windhoek’s audience here had the opportunity to choose not only their favorite local production but also to decide which international film they preferred at the festival. Film makers and industry players will be waiting with nervous anticipation when the call goes out, „…and the (N)Oscar goes to…“.

But apart from the trial and tribulations of the award ceremony the evening holds a star-studded entertainment program in stall for party goers: Well-known Windhoek personality, Lazarus Jakobs and beauty pageant, Barbara Kahatjipara, will direct the evening’s program as Master of Ceremonies, while Lady May, G3 and Gazza will provide musical variety. As with the opening of the festival, guests will be treated to a cocktail reception and a jazz jam by ‘AfterFX” in the court yard. And although there will be no prize for the best dressed star it is never the less one of Windhoek’s rare occasion’s to see and be seen.