With Charlize Theron and District 9 getting all the sunshine, I think we tend to forget that there are thousands of South Africans globally doing sick things. Like Ari Kruger, a freelance film maker, VFX artist and 3D animator for various agencies and studios both in Cape Town and Sydney.

His short film, Focus, was chosen as one of the finalists of Australia’s Tropfest 2011. This is the biggest short film festival in the world, and what’s more impressive is that Ari’s film was the only non-Australian film on the list.

Focus is a black and white short film, with the accompanying description: “You tell her you love her and she loves you. Things have never felt better. But one day, you notice something about her you hadn’t noticed before.” According to Ari the film can be interpreted in various ways but for him it was trying to show how sometimes in a relationship people lose focus on what really matters and only realise what they had once they’ve lost it.

Focus stars FHM calendar model Abigail Parker as well as veteran actor Clyde Berning. Do yourself a solid and watch this film and then feel the SHAME of not having platforms for artists like Ari in South Africa.

For more info about Ari’s work and to view some of his other films, have a look at his website.