UKZN Bids Farewell to DIFF Festival Manager

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The 46^th edition of the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), which ended on the weekend of 27 July, also marked the conclusion of Ms Andrea Voges’ tenure as Festival Manager and Head of Programming of DIFF at the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Voges is an alumna of the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy. Her entry into the film industry was serendipitous: she joined DIFF as a jury minder in 2009. While she had always loved film, this role introduced her to the inner workings of the festival and its jury, and allowed her to watch dozens of films. It was an experience that sparked a lifelong passion.

Voges previous experience includes working for the Joburg Film Festival and the Red Sea International Film Festival. She also co-ordinated festival distribution for STEPS, a documentary production company. From 2014 to 2016, she served as Project Coordinator for the South African - United Kingdom Cultural Seasons programme, an intergovernmental initiative promoting arts and culture between the two nations. Her passion for African cinema deepened during her time as Programmes Manager for the Realness Institute and Sales and Distribution Manager for Urucu Media.

“When Andrea Voges was listed by the prestigious film industry magazine, Screen International, at the Cannes Film Festival last year as one of the 25 film festival curators around the globe it was inevitable that with this glowing accolade, we might lose her to other more competitive career opportunities that engage the world’s leading professionals,” said Dr Ismail Mahomed, the Director of the Centre for Creative Arts.

Voges led DIFF over the past three editions. Following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully transitioned the festival from an online format to a fully in-person event in 2023, featuring a rich programme of film screenings, industry networking, and development opportunities for both professionals and newcomers. “With passion and vision, Andrea nursed DIFF out of the pandemic years and returned the festival to the live space with boldness, courage, and clear strategy,” Mahomed added.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Supplied