ABOUT

ABOUT BAI Heatseekers

Get ready for an electrifying experience as BAI Heatseekers Festival returns with a bang this year! Set to take place over two action-packed weekends on April 13th & 14th and April 19th & 20th, 2024, Heatseekers Festival promises an immersive celebration of trailblazing artistry within the digital film and youth entertainment space. From captivating film screenings and live performances to engaging panels and live talks, the festival offers a diverse range of activities for attendees to enjoy. Highlights of the film festival include the Screening of "The Odyssey of the Zulu Skywalker": Directed by Fred Kayembe and narrated by Muzi, this exciting film invites viewers on a journey with a modest boy as he navigates the vibrant world of live music performances across the globe. Other key screenings include the award-winning short film “Limp Biscuit”, the A.I Prompted “Noga Mo Jozi Loop Of Dreams” and an array of music films made by artists like Una Rams, Dali Danger and Namakau Star. All of these screenings will include dynamic Q&A sessions with the filmmakers about the making of the films and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. The festival also features live acts such as Lucille Slade and Filah Lah Lah who are set to bring the house down with their soulful performances whilst entertainers like ByLwansta & Imani Basquiat are set to captivate with their dynamically energetic sets. Notable music writers and curators; Lesiba Mankga, Illy The Host & Eatzz are bound to bring some fun with The Curator’s Listening Session as they go head-to-head in a live playlist battle. The festival assures variety through diverse discussions, talks and workshops. One of the highlights of this program is BAI Spotlights, a platform for young creative entrepreneurs to talk about their Press Release entrepreneurial journeys; Heatseekers will be covering at least 6 entrepreneurs from wine-makers and festival curators to design specialists and more!

Dates

BAI Heatseekers will be taking place across 2 weekends

Weekend 1 will take place on the 13th and 14th April 2024

Weekend 2 will take place on the 20th April 2024

Ticket Prices:

Weekend 1: R175 per day if you purchase on Quicket.

R200 per day at the Door.

Weekend 2: R100 if you purchase on the Heatseekers Con 2024 Quicket page.

R130 at the Door

13th April 2024 - Music, Film & Cultural Expression

Current Highlights include:

The Bubbling Culture Screening

The Bubbling Culture is a series that spotlights bustling movements rising within the South African entertainment space. eco-system. The screening piece The Age of Alternative focuses on making art for alternative spaces. It explores the role local alternative art plays on a global stage through the eyes of journalists, DJ's, musicians and music curators; starring Saul Madiope, Yolophonik, Deniece Marz &

Lucille Slade and Imani Basquiat Live

Live Panel Discussions with Valentine Mphahlele & French For New

The Curator's Listening Session with Illy The Host, Lesiba Mankga & Eatzz

A Scoring Music Masterclass with composer Bongani

Live Talks and/or Masterclasses with guests including French For New, Spokenpriestess, Seoli Mashaba, Kat Upendi & more  

More activities to be announced

14th April 2024 - Contemporary Film and Visual Storytelling

Current Highlights include:

• A preview screening of romantic comedy Trading Places starring Thabo Rametsi Zikhona Bali with a Q&A Discussion with the production team

Synopsis: A once-loving pair is slowly growing apart, but — after magically swapping bodies — they begin to learn some new things about each other.

Directed by Thabo Mashaila and starring Thabo Rametsi, Zikhona Bali

• Live Talks and/or Masterclasses with guests including

Neo Sibiya, Thabo Mashaila, Eddie Ramohlale, Mbali Mashaba

• Digital Content and Youth Content Screening, plus a screening of AI-facilitated short film, Noga Mo Jozi, a piece that seeks to reimagine what Johannesburg's would look like with more African-centred architecture and design.

More highlights to be announced.

20th April 2024 - Industry Talks & Workshops

Current Highlights include

• A live discussion on The Legal Ramifications of AI within the South African Creative Space with Kevin Smith
• A workshop on The Necessity of Business Administration (SARS and Accounting Compliance) with Tax and Legal Practictioners
• First Look "Test-Screening" of multiple independent films by young black production companies

More highlights to be announced.

Follow us on @baiheatseekers for more announcements and activities about the festival

DIRECTIONS