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Felix comes out tops in Germany

Felix, the proudly South African movie is dominating international movie screens and receiving much more attention than it did in it's hometown, Mzansi.

Felix has won the €7 500 (R101,816) award for Best Children’s Film at the 36th Lucas International Children’s Film Festival in Frankfurt, Germany over the weekend.

The movie came out tops from competing with over 400 entries from across the globe.

Four children joined industry experts on the jury to select Felix as the winner and the jury at the German Film Museum award ceremony on Saturday applauded SA for their variety in film production

“We get a multifaceted insight into South Africa today. The film tells an entertaining and exciting story with ease, great actors and good music.”

The movie tells a simple story about a 14-year-old boy named Felix Xaba (Hlayani Junior Mabasa) who dreams of becoming a saxophonist like his late father, but his mother Lindiwe (Linda Sokhulu) thinks jazz is the devil’s music.

When Felix leaves his township to take up a scholarship at an elite private school, he defies his mother and turns to two aging members of his father’s old band (Royston Stoffels and Thapelo Mofokeng) to help him prepare for the school jazz concert.

Felix film director, Roberta Durrant says an award for the film was least expected.

“We had two incredible screenings at Lucas, complete with ovations and whistles.

“The audience absolutely loved the film but I didn’t expect to receive the main award as the competition was stiff.”

Felix also won the Audience Award at this year’s Durban International Film Festival.

The movie is currently screening at The Hamburg Film Festival in Germany.

Felix has already sold out its two upcoming screenings at the BFI London Film Festival, considered one of the best in the world, and will also screen at Vancouver International Film Festival in October 2013.

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