Latest news with #GreytownGirl
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Rani Sitaram: A Rising Star in South African Cinema
Rani Sitaram, the producer of Greytown Girl. Image: Supplied HAVING received two nominations at the 2025 Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards in the category of Best Supporting Actress – Film, Rani Sitaram, the producer of Greytown Girl, believes this further affirms her status as a creative force committed to impactful storytelling. Her latest project is not only making waves globally, but it has further cemented her reputation as a filmmaker dedicated to telling stories that matter. Funded by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA), her journey exemplifies how targeted investment in local talent can produce content that resonates across continents. Greytown Girl has already garnered international acclaim, winning a string of awards. The film scooped Best Feature Film at the Los Angeles Movie and Music Awards, Best African Film at the 2025 Cannes Film Awards, with prestigious selections earned at the Nelson Mandela Children's Film Festival, the 30th International Human Rights Conference, as well as at festivals in Barcelona and New York. Yet despite this global recognition, Sitaram says that being nominated for a Simon Mabhunu Sabela Award holds a deeply personal significance. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Greytown Girl has already garnered international acclaim, winning a string of awards. Image: Supplied 'It's really heartwarming to be acknowledged by our home province and country,' she shares. Central to the success of Greytown Girl has been the support of KZNTAFA. For Sitaram, this backing was 'vital and invaluable,' enabling her to maintain high production values and build a story with strong local relevance and global appeal. The impact was not just financial. 'KZNTAFA has created a support structure around me,' she says. 'As an independent producer, this amazing 'holding space' allowed me to eliminate challenges and draw on the expertise of seasoned professionals.' Committed to developing the creative economy of her province, Sitaram ensured that more than 75% of the suppliers and service providers for the film were based in KwaZulu-Natal. Through her company, East Coast Media, which includes a fully accredited training institution, she has created opportunities for the youth and underrepresented communities, including the disability sector. As she continues to write, produce, and mentor from her KZN base, Sitaram is already working on new projects. Her advice for potential filmmakers is to: 'Start with a story that matters and stay rooted in your region.' Thanks to the catalytic support of KZNTAFA, Sitaram is not only raising the flag for KwaZulu-Natal's film sector but she is also proving that local stories, when authentically told, can find a place on the world stage. SUNDAY TRIBUNE
IOL News
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Greytown Girl: A South African film nominated for Cannes Film Festival
Greytown Girl supporting actress Uveka Rangappa and lead actress Sanam Sitaram Image: Supplied LOCALLY produced film Greytown Girl has achieved a remarkable feat by receiving a nomination at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France. Celebrated for its compelling narrative and emotional depth, the biopic highlights the true story of Meena, a small-town South African girl who rises above her physical limitations and finds love in the most unexpected ways. Set against the backdrop of 1960s South Africa, Greytown Girl is directed by the acclaimed Oscar-nominated filmmaker Darrell Roodt. The film, which found its footing in cinemas for an impressive 12 weeks following its release last year, tells the tale of resilience and the indomitable spirit of a woman who defies all odds through the art of letter writing. Greytown Girl has been nominated in the best independent feature film category. The 78th annual Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 13 to 24 May at the Variétés Movie Theatre in France. The movie was written by Rani Sitaram and co-produced by Sitaram and Asgar Mahomed. Sitaram said the nomination was an incredible honour. "Greytown Girl is a story of love, hope, and perseverance that transcends borders. It is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of women globally and the beauty of finding love against all odds. "It was unusual for a SA film to be so popular and to be in cinemas for so long. But this was a true story that was told with love," said Sitaram. AB Moosa, CEO of Nolava International Content Distribution and executive producer of the film said: "We are thrilled that Greytown Girl has received this prestigious nomination at the Cannes Film Awards. This film is a testament to the power of storytelling, capturing the resilience and courage of a remarkable woman who inspires us all.' Meena, played by Sanam Sitaram, is born disabled through a forceps delivery. Believing she was abandoned, little Meena bravely creates a life for herself at an orphanage. Only when Meena is able to walk independently can she return to her parental home. With a new family and a language and culture that are foreign to her, the courageous Meena finds her new normal. Meena's father Veer, played by Jack Devnarain, teaches her to read from glossy magazines, where she discovers pen pals. Meena writes to friends all over the world. Just one writes back. Meena's American pen pal Eddie Gibson is deeply impacted by her letters. Through the romance of letter writing, Meena and Eddie fall in love, even when it seems they will never be destined to be together. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Cannes calling: 'Greytown Girl' steals the spotlight with 2025 nomination
Supporting actress Uveka Rangappa and lead actress Sanam Sitaram at the local premiere of "Greytown Girl". The heart-warming and inspiring film, 'Greytown Girl', has earned a significant nomination at the Cannes Film Awards 2025. The film, will be in competition among other global films in the Best Indie Feature category and will be screened at the prominent festival. The 78th edition will be held from May 13 to 24, at the renowned Variétés Movie Theatre in France. "Greytown Girl" is a poignant biopic that tells the true story of Meena played by newcomer Sanam Sitaram, a resilient girl from a small town in South Africa, born with physical challenges and abandoned as an infant. Against all odds, she rises above her circumstances by embracing the power of letter writing, ultimately finding love that transcends borders. The film stars many industry favourites, including Emmanuel Castis, Jack Devnarain and Linda Sokhulu, among others. Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Darrell Roodt, the film encapsulates themes of resilience, unconditional love, and the unyielding spirit of a woman who emerges triumphant despite formidable obstacles. The creative visionary behind the touching narrative is Rani Sitaram, a producer and writer renowned for her innovative contributions to both fiction and non-fiction.
