I Wear My Culture, a documentary directed and produced by Gilmore Tee and Prosper Kunyetu, won a silver award during this year’s sixth annual International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) in Johannesburg, South Africa, Standard Style has learnt.
The festival took place from June 11-15 and celebrated the finest in tourism storytelling, with a focus on conservation, cultural heritage, and sustainability.
I Wear My Culture is a 65-minute documentary film by Prosper Kunyetu and Creative Mice Films, directed by Gilmore Tee.
It has a look-book with photos by UK-based and internationally acclaimed photographer Val Juma.
Zimbabwean historian Phathisa Nyathi and UK fashion heritage designer Dorota Stumpf were immensely helpful to this research – sharing knowledge and skills with young designers throughout this experience.
Paper Bag Africa, confirmed the developments to Standard Style on Friday.
“The sixth annual International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) unveiled its winners after a fierce competition that saw 436 entries from 61 countries. This saw I Wear My Culture, a documentary directed and produced by Gilmore Tee and Prosper Kunyetu, winning a silver medal award.
“The winners were selected by an esteemed panel of 46 jury members, equally representing the film and digital creation industries and the tourism sector. The films were judged on seven key criteria: impact, creativity, sound, style, subject matter, storytelling, and goal effectiveness, with scores out of 10 awarded to each entry,” said Paper Bag Africa.
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Paper Bag Africa added that 272 films advanced to the final round, with 23 finalists, 61 silver awards, 41 gold awards, and three prestigious pinnacle awards being bestowed upon the most outstanding submissions.
“The coveted ITFFA festival directors award was presented to Nicola Gerrard of Love Africa Marketing in recognition of her exceptional contribution to filmmaking in the Wildlife and Conservation and Tourism categories.
“I Wear My Culture, a research documentary, explores the use of motifs, symbols, colours, material, and sustainability elements of Tonga, Nambya, Shona, Xhosa, Shangani, Ndebele, Venda, Kalanga, Khoisan, Sotho, Irish and Scottish cultures.
“Twelve young fashion designers were selected to travel to designated tribal locations, gather information, and create two contemporary garments inspired by their findings, resulting in twenty-two pieces,” added Paper Bag Africa.
Paper Bag Africa said the event demonstrated its importance in recognising and celebrating the incredible talent and creativity of filmmakers worldwide, and the crucial role that tourism plays in fostering understanding, conservation, and cultural appreciation.
“ITFFA Co-Founders James Byrne and Caroline Ungersbock expressed their congratulations to all the winners and participants, thanking them for their contribution to the festival's mission of promoting sustainable tourism, fostering cultural exchange, and championing positive storytelling through the power of film.
