The organizers of last year’s Knysna Film Festival have rebranded the festival to GRIFF – Garden Route International Film Festival – taking place this year from 21 September to 11 October online and at drive-in setups across the region.
“In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, we had to change our concept for the short term to ensure the festival goes ahead. To this end we are bringing back drive-ins to the Garden Route and also taking the festival online,” says Patrick Walton, GRIFF Festival Director. The organizers are taking this two-tier approach in order to ensure that the festival goes ahead virtually but in a physical space too as far as possible. The Drive-in Cinemas will feature a double bill for two nights in each town – a film in competition and an ‘oldy but a goodie’.
Post festival, the organizers anticipate continuing with the drive-ins, creating an opportunity for individuals to create business around the concept: “We have the equipment and infrastructure, so we want it out there for audiences to enjoy and take advantage of long after the festival finishes,” says Festival Coordinator Shianne Maritz.