'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' opens Zanzibar International Film Festival
/Terry Pheto - Zanzibar International Film Festival / Peter Bennett (p)
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom opened The Zanzibar International Film Festival 2014 at a glamorous event this weekend at Zanzibar's The Old Fort. Actress, Terry Pheto who plays Mandela's first wife Evelyn Mase in the film, shared the stage as Guest of Honour with the Honourable Ambassador, Seif Ali Idi, The Second Vice President of Zanzibar.
The Festival's Opening Night this year was a special celebration honouring Nelson Mandela and 20 Years of Democracy in South Africa with the screening of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
Director of the Festival commented, "We are excited to be celebrating Mr Mandela and South Africa's 20 years of Democracy at our Festival this year. Opening the Festival with Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom was a special privilege and the audience was completely enthralled. The audience lived through the film with each beat and in rhythm with the film, clapping in appreciation of this cinematic work of art."
Terry Pheto commenting after the screening said, "It is a huge honour for me to be able to carry the baton for the film, to present the film to the world, especially fellow Africans who get to see the film and engage in discussions about Madiba's legacy. It was great to see how people where moved by the story and how much they appreciate the role South Africa plays in African storytelling and the film industry as a whole."
Producer, Anant Singh commented, "Madiba continues to be an inspiration to audiences all over the world, and having the audience in Zanzibar respond so enthusiastically to the film is really gratifying to us as filmmakers and we are thrilled that the film continues to resonate among audiences in Africa. We are also delighted that Terry was present at the screening to share her experience of working on the film."
