MERCEDES-BENZ #BOKEH Fashion Film Festival, Cape Town

Hi Guys,

Elevated 2 stories up on a glittering stage overlooking a thronging crowd of over 500 Celebrities, VIP’s and Fashionistas, South African filmmaker Aidan Whytock proudly held aloft the Mercedes-Benz trophy for ‘The Choice’ as well as a cheque for US$ 10 000. It was a biggest moment of fame for him and he was elated to hear his name pronounced amongst all the valid entries for this contest.

Adrian Lazarus with actress Tarina Patel

This iconic moment was the culmination of the second annual Mercedes-Benz Bokeh South Africa International Fashion Film Festival held at the stylish 15 on Orange Hotel in the Cape Town CBD. The 2 day fashion and film extravaganza, founded and owned by film-maker Adrian Lazarus provided a focused platform for both local and international up and coming talent to showcase their fashion films and design in conjunction with pop-up retail outlets and focused industry talks. The event attracted the very best in South African fashion talent with greats such as Hendrik Vermeulen, Adriaan Kuiters and Jenevieve Lyons to name a few and each design house showcasing unique collections while some also featured fashion forward installations.

Mercedes-Benz, headline sponsor of the event holds an established international alignment with the fashion industry as a central component of their lifestyle marketing activities, and Selvin Govender, Marketing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars affirmed their commitment, “We are extremely pleased with the overwhelming success of the second Mercedes-Benz Bokeh International South African Fashion Festival. Being the title sponsor of this exciting event has created a unique interactive sensory platform for us to share our brand values and simultaneously offer the South African fashion and film industry the international recognition that they so richly deserve."

Following on from the success of the first event in 2014, the festival has again attracted the commitment of the Cape Town Fashion Council with CEO Brian Ramkilawan affirming, “The Mercedes-Benz Bokeh International South African Fashion Film Festival is now an established annual event that showcases our immense local fashion talent to the world and is contributing towards developing the fashion industry in this country.” The event also attracted other premier brands including global make-up company M.A.C cosmetics, ghd stylists, Fox Box, global TV channel Fashion One TV, electronics manufacturing giant Hisense, RGBC, African Pride 15 on Orange and Protea Hotels Fire and Ice, Sunglasses Hut, Platinum Groups labels Jenni Button by Warrick Gautier and their men’s label Hilton Weiner.

Each day-event culminated with a high glamour ‘Oscar-style’ Red Carpet evening, with invited guests inspired to dress for the occasion and clearly showing that there is overwhelming support for high fashion and the fashion and film industry in Cape Town.

The sold out ensemble of celebrities, VIP’s, Movie producers, Media, Fashionistas and invited guests were calmly introduced to a daunting red carpet walk by glamorous host Bailey Schneider, whereafter local and international media took over and jostled for position to gain the ultimate image and interview. The Jonny Cooper Big Band accompanied the arrival, and played throughput the night interspersed with the musical genius of renowned international pianist, Joja Wendt accompanied by floating food, designer canapés and sparkling aperitifs.

Elihle Mnguni, Specialist Communications Manager for Mercedes-Benz cars and Leon Visser with the winner filmmaker Aidan Whytock

Natalie Becker was the charming MC on the evening, introducing each film as well as the respective producers. All the films submitted for the festival were assessed by a panel of esteemed local and international judges, with 52 finalists nominated across various categories with their films showcased over the two nights of screenings during the festival.

Winners on the night included:

Best Actress – Purgatory of Monotony - Sonja Kinski
Best Actor – 206 with David Oyelowo - Contentmode x J. Cooper
Best Hair and Make-Up - Perfidia - Raul Rosillo
Best Fashion – Etro - The Encounter - Valentina BeÃ
Best Art Direction – Risky Dancing - Kuba Lubniewski
Best Music and Sound: Love ZA Buy ZA - The good Dress - Shoestring productions
Best Cinematography – The Legend of Shalimar
Best Director – The Legend of Shalimar - Bruno Aveillan
Best Picture – Kiss of a Siren - Viktorija Pashuta & Miguel Guthier
Mercedes-Benz Award - The Choice - Aidan Whytock

The Mercedes-Benz Award and US$ 10 000 was awarded to Aidan Whytock. The award is presented in recognition of an uncompromising pursuit of quality, passionate design and creative innovation.

In conclusion, event director Adrian Lazarus said, “I am so grateful to our sponsors and partners for investing in our dream and our events team in making it a reality. Only in its second year now, the Mercedes-Benz Bokeh International Fashion Film Festival now comfortably shares the stage with global film festivals the likes of New York, London, Berlin, Madrid and La Jolla. It also proudly positions Cape Town as the creative fashion hub of sub-Saharan Africa.“

I am waiting for the 4th of June this year, when this event will showcase in Johannesburg. Looking forward to watch all the the nominated fashion movies and the winners thereafter.

Cheers!!!

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