Showcasing an exciting mix of films from both local and international creators, the festival’s Golden Thread connected across Johannesburg. Featuring a selection of cinematic works from across the globe, this year’s edition captivated audiences with not only its diverse array of films but also extensive three-day JBX Talks and JBX Youth programmes, and various special events taking place throughout the week. From powerful documentaries to compelling dramas and uplifting stories, the festival celebrated the art of storytelling and the rich spectrum of human experiences. As the festival concludes tomorrow, it has delivered on its promise to leave a lasting impact on viewers.

Tonight, the festival reached its exciting climax with the Awards Gala event. Industry professionals gathered in anticipation of the announcement of the best films. And now, without keeping you waiting any longer, let’s reveal the winners.

The Best Short Film award went to the local African folklore tale, Why the Cattle Wait (Phumi Morare). This poignant short feature delves into the complexities of unrequited love, set against the backdrop of a colourful African landscape, showcasing the emotional depth of the characters’ struggles.

Sugar Land (Johanne Gomez Terrero), a Dominican Republic feature, claimed the Best Edit accolade. This rich film follows the life of a Dominican-Haitian teenager growing up in a community surrounded by vast sugarcane fields, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the challenges faced by those on the margins of society.

The Best Documentary award went to Ernest Cole: Lost and Found (Raoul Peck), the powerful and thought-provoking film that opened the festival and made its African premiere. The documentary honours the life and work of Ernest Cole, a renowned South African photographer who captured the harsh realities of apartheid through his lens, offering an intimate look at his legacy and the impact of his images.

HAPPY: The Real Happy Sindane Story (Vusi Africa), a gripping South African feature, took home the Best African Feature Film award. This deeply moving film explores the true story of Happy Sindane, shedding light on themes of identity, race, and the complexities of the human experience in post-apartheid South Africa.

The Best Feature Film award went to Blind Love (Julian Chou), a touching coming-of-age story about a sensitive teenager who uncovers his mother’s secret affair with a mysterious woman. As he grapples with his discovery, he begins to unravel the perfect facade of his seemingly happy family, exploring themes of love, deception, and self-discovery.

Joburg Film Festival’s Special Recipient Award was presented to the legendary South African industry icon, Mfundi Vundla, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the country’s film and television landscape. With a career spanning decades, Vundla is best known for his transformative work in the South African entertainment industry, particularly as the creator and executive producer of the iconic soap opera Generations. His work has not only shaped the local entertainment scene but has also paved the way for countless aspiring filmmakers and storytellers, both within South Africa and beyond its borders. Through his visionary leadership, Vundla has been instrumental in advancing the representation of African stories on screen, making a significant impact on how African culture and narratives are portrayed in mainstream media. The award celebrates his lifelong dedication to the craft and his enduring influence on the entertainment industry.

The Jury Special Mention was awarded to The Shadow Scholar (Eloise King), a bold and thought-provoking film that sheds light on the often-hidden world of shadow education, exploring how it affects both students and society.

The Young Voices Award was presented to CheckMate, a compelling and innovative film that captivated both audiences and the jury alike. CheckMate tells the story of a group of young individuals navigating the complexities of modern life, identity, and the pursuit of dreams. The film highlights the struggles and triumphs of its characters as they strive to make their mark in the world. Aspiring filmmakers from all over the country were invited to submit short films for the Young Voices film competition. Produced by Shakers Productions, “ABOMNYAKAZISI”, a pioneering South African youth enterprise, has emerged as a trailblazer in commercial, film, and television production. The team received a range of prizes, including a bursary and an internship.

This year’s festival featured an esteemed jury made up of renowned filmmakers and industry experts from around the globe. Among them was South African actress Sthandiwe Kgoroge (Generations, Yizo Yizo) known for her outstanding performances in both film and television. The jury also included multi-award-winning filmmaker Muneera Sallies (Old Righteous Blues, Twisted Christmas); Yolanda Ncokotwana, broadcaster, story consultant, entrepreneur, executive producer, funding specialist, and policy maker; and, currently, the Head of Industry Development at the NFVF; and Egyptian film critic, festival programmer and president of the International Film Critics Federation (FIPRESCI), Ahmed Shawky. Nigerian film scholar and National President of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and co-founder of the Guild, Dr. Victor Okhai, brought his academic expertise to the panel, alongside internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning editor Melissa Parry. Together, this diverse and highly skilled group of professionals brought a wealth of knowledge and global perspective to the festival.

As the Joburg Film Festival comes to a close, a stellar lineup of local and international films and documentaries continues to delight audiences at venues throughout the city. From Nu-Metro Cinemas in Hyde Park to Nelson Mandela’s Theatre on the Square, Artistry at BlackBrick, and the Bioscope at 44 Stanley, there’s still an abundance of cinematic magic for audiences to enjoy.

The Joburg Film Festival concludes with a heartfelt finale tomorrow afternoon, featuring the South African family comedy Timmy The Kid as its closing film. Directed by the father-son duo Gray and Ziggy Hofmeyr, and produced by Nyikiwe Mathye, this uproarious film follows Timmy, a middle-aged farmer and aspiring cowboy, as he heads to the city to scatter his mother’s ashes—only to stumble through mishap after mishap. Kenneth Nkosi stars as Timmy, alongside Lillian Dube, Sandile Mahlangu, and Celeste Ntuli. The film will be screened at Theatre on the Square on Nelson Mandela Square at 4 pm, offering audiences a chance to enjoy this unforgettable comedy-drama.

For more information about the Joburg Film Festival 2025, check out:

Website           www.joburgfilmfestival.co.za
Facebook        JoburgFilmFestival
X                      JoburgFilmFest
Instagram        joburg_film_festival
LinkedIn          Joburg Film Fest
TikTok              Joburg Film Fest

The hashtags for the festival are #JoburgFilmFestival #JFF2025 #TheGoldenThread

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The television adaptation of internationally acclaimed author Deon Meyer’s crime novel Trackers marks the beginning of a new era in high-end African storytelling. Pan-African television network M-Net and two global broadcasting giants are joining forces to take this uniquely South African political thriller to the world.  First, as announced in December 2018, M-Net sealed a groundbreaking collaboration deal with Germany’s public broadcaster ZDF. Now, M-Net can confirm that Trackers is also being co-produced by Cinemax, which will also distribute the drama series worldwide beyond M-Net and ZDF’s geographical broadcasting footprint.

“The trailblazing and massively exciting co-production of Trackers illustrates M–Net’s vision and commitment to shine the spotlight on the African film and television industry and provide fresh, proudly African narratives to our viewers as well as global audiences,” says MultiChoice CEO of General Entertainment, Yolisa Phahle. “It is also taking our longstanding relationship with Cinemax to the next level, allowing local and international talent to combine their world-class story-telling and production skills.”

While M-Net is already the home of Cinemax and its sister network HBO, allowing viewers to enjoy showstoppers like Game of Thrones, Big Little Lies, Westworld and many more, HBO, Cinemax and M-Net also launched an innovative Producers Apprenticeship programme last year when the Cinemax series Warrior, coming to M-Net in July, was filmed in South Africa. Some other Cinemax originals screened on M-Net include Banshee, The Knick and Strike Back. 

Filming for Trackers has already started in exotic locations spanning the length and breadth of South Africa and the co-production partners have been working together on all aspects of production – from developing and casting, to assembling the crew and approving the final content.

Master wordsmith Deon Meyer, whose multiple-award-winning crime novels have been translated into more than 20 languages, with millions of copies sold worldwide, serves as a supervising screenwriter and co-producer; British writer Robert Thorogood (Death in Paradise) is the showrunner. The team of South African writers on the project includes the accomplished Mitchell’s Plain playwright, screenwriter and director Amy Jephta (Die Ellen Pakkies Story) as well as local writer/directors Kelsey Egen and Jozua Malherbe.

A talented local and international cast is on the bill for the six-part miniseries, some of which include Ed Stoppard, Rolanda Marais, James Alexander and Thapelo Mokoena. More details about their roles and additional credits will be announced at a later stage.

Trackers will make its debut on M-Net 101 in October 2019 and will also be available on MultiChoice’s popular on-demand service, Showmax. The six-part drama series is produced by UK Production Company Three River Studios as well as South Africa’s Scene 23.

The post Trackers appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Die sanger PJ Pretorius, wat naam gemaak het tydens die tweede seisoen van die gewilde M-Net sangkompetisie, The Voice SA, het pas sy eerste enkelsnit uitgereik en beloof om iets beter te wees as wat verwag word.

Dié pop-rock liefdesliedjie, wat 12 uit 10 heet, is uit die pen van Renier Bester en gaan oor ’n jongman wat dol is oor ’n meisie wat nie in haarself glo nie en dit sy doel maak om haar te laat besef dat sy eintlik beter as die norm is vir hom.  Die sanger vertel dat daar soveel juweel-mense daar buite is wat net nie glo dat hulle goed genoeg is nie. Dit is ’n bog storie, want vir elkeen is daar ’n maat wat glo en voel dat hulle die beste en mooiste is…

Pretorius sê dat hy juis op die liedjie besluit het omdat hy ’n boodskap tuis wil bring by mense, dat elkeen goed genoeg is en dat almal iets werd is.

Hy deel mee dat hy dink die publiek gaan dit geniet en maklik daarmee sal kan vereenselwig, juis omdat elkeen van ons maar met ons ‘insecurities’ loop.

Die liedjie, wat nie net ’n mooi boodskap, maar ook ’n lekker wysie het, sal sommer gou in jou kop kom vassteek en volgens PJ, wil hy hê dat die luisteraar lekker, gemotiveerd en geïnspireerd voel.

’n Musiekvideo vir die liedjie, wat deur Luther van der Watt van AVC Studios opgeneem gaan word, is ook in die pyplyn, maar hieroor wil PJ nie veel meer verklap nie.

27 Jarige PJ Pretorius, van Secunda, se liefde vir musiek het by die huis ontstaan waar hy gereeld saam met sy ma en suster gesing het.  In 2013 het hy as bedieningsleier by die kerk aangesluit en is vir die afgelope drie jaar aktief in die musiekbedryf betrokke.

Die sanger som sy stem en styl op as uniek met diepte en vertel dat hy nie oor iets spesefiek skryf nie, eerder oor iets wat sy hart roer. “Ek is ’n softy vir ballads, enige iets wat jou hart roer.  Dieselfde kunstenaars wat my inspireer, se werk het maar ’n invloed gehad op my musiek,” sê hy.

Kunstenaars soos Elvis Blue, Jesse Jay en Riana Nel inspireer hom en hy sal graag eendag saam hulle wil werk.  Sou musiek egter nie vir hom beskore gewees het nie, sou hy graag ’n sjef wou wees en vertel dat dit baie ontspannend is en jy kry ook kans om iets te skep. Natuurlik is PJ ook lief vir lekker eet…

En wat weet sy aanhangers nie van hom nie? PJ skerts hy het nie ’n gunsteling kleur nie; dit wissel gedurig. Hy is eintlik ook ’n introvert en het ’n fobie vir te min mense.  Verder vertel hy dat hy meer in homself moet glo.  PJ sonder ook sy tyd uit in die topses van The Voice SA seisoen 2, asook sy album, as die grootste hoogtepunte in sy loopbaan tot dusver.

Behalwe vir ’n eerste enkelsnit, kan aanhangers van PJ ook gereed maak vir ’n album. “Ek is besig met my album wat vroeg volgende jaar vrygestel gaan word en alles daar rondom.  Verder probeer ek ook soveel as moontlik van my aanhangers gelukkig hou, deur by soveel as moontlik plekke op te tree,” sluit hy af.

The post PJ Pretorius: 12 Uit 10 appeared first on Stage and Screen.

SundanceTV has partnered with MultiChoice to offer DStv Premium subscribers a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two to the Sundance Film Festival in the US, between 31 January and 3 February 2019.

The winner and a friend could be among the 40,000 visitors pouring into Park City, Utah, to experience the best of bold, independent cinematic storytelling from around the world. More than just a film event, the Sundance Film Festival has a huge influence on the direction of cinema and popular culture over the following 12 months. The festival continues to attract a range of A-list talent year on year, from Nicholas Cage, Idris Elba and Ethan Hawke to Keira Knightley, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jada Pinkett Smith and our own Charlize Theron.

As the official TV network for the Sundance Film Festival, SundanceTV will provide unparalleled access to films and events during the festival. The prize includes round-trip economy airfare for two to Salt Lake City, Utah, airport transfers, visa costs, three-night hotel stay, tickets to a minimum of three film screenings, plus an American Express gift card pre-loaded with $500 spending money.

Entering couldn’t be easier: just SMS the answer to the question, along with your name and ID number to 39202 before 2 December. The question is Who is the founder of SundanceTV?

The lucky winner will be announced by 14 December 2018 on DStv.com. Click on the button below to take you straight to all the T’s and C’s…

[button color=”white” size=”medium” link=”https://www.dstv.com/competitions/details/6665?&_ga=2.136850356.580227877.1541768160-599961354.1540924324″ target=”blank” ]Click here for the Terms and Conditions[/button]

If you are a major movie fan and a DStv Premium subscriber, don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience one of the world’s most high-profile film events.

The post Win a trip to the Sundance Film Festival in the US appeared first on Stage and Screen.

kykNET-kykers weet teen hierdie tyd dat die drama-gleuf op ’n Dinsdagaand nooit teleurstel nie en met die nuwe reeks, Spoorloos, wat op 9 Oktober begin, gaan dit ook nie anders wees nie.

Die storie speel af in die dorpie Digtersdal in die Oos-Kaap. Dis ’n spookdorp op soek na genesing en herlewing, maar ná dertien jaar se onopgelosde raaisels, keer die reeksmoordenaar van destyds skielik terug. Om hom op te spoor, moet ’n speurder en joernalis al die ou wonde oopkrap. Terselfdertyd is daar ook drie kinders van die dorp wat die monster probeer vastrek en familie-intriges, soos net in ’n klein dorpie kan wees…

Die dorp Digtersdal in die Oos-Kaap, is dertien jaar vantevore deur ’n reeksmoordenaar geterroriseer ,wat seuns van 5 tot 15 jaar oud geteiken het. Die moorde het skielik opgehou, maar die moordenaar is nooit vasgetrek nie. Die dorp was geknak. Wonde het jare gevat om rowe te vorm en is nog lank nie genees nie. Werner Malan se planne vir die ontwikkeling van Digtersdal tot ’n vakansieparardys, het doodgeloop en hy het ‘n fortuin verloor. Die bouwerke vir ’n toeriste-oord wat met die Sonstad sou kompeteer, is gestop en die ingangspoort wat opgerig is, staan verbleik soos ’n reuse grafsteen, ter herhinnering aan die tragedie wat die dorp oorval het.

Nou, dertien jaar later, is die dorp onder Werner se stukrag vasberade om die spoke van die verlede te besweer. ’n Fees is in die lewe geroep – die Fakkelfees – waartydens besoekers aangemoedig gaan word om in die nuwe tyddeelontwikkeling te belê.

In die rolverdeling is ’n paar veteraan-spelers, asook nuwe gesigte. Die reeks is in Cradock in die Karoo geskiet en die dorp en sy mense dien as agtergrond vir dié nuwe reeks.

Deon Coetzee is te sien as Werner Malan, ’n sakeman, politikus en boer. Hy is getroud met Angelique, gespeel deur Catriona Andrew, wat uit ’n ryk Engelse familie kom. Hulle seun, Werner Jnr. wat almal Junior noem, vertolk deur Francois Jacobs, is getroud met Lara, Amalia Uys se karakter – ’n gekneusde engel wat op soek is na redding uit haar versmorende huwelik. Lara het ’n 12-jarige seun, Jan-Gustav, gespeel deur Neil Slabbert.

Ludwig Binge as Ian Vos, werk by ’n advertensie agentskap in die stad. Hy was 17 jaar oud toe sy broer, Benjamin, deur die reeksmoordenaar vermoor is. Sy ma, Frieda, vertolk deur Wilmien Rossouw, woon nog in Digtersdal.

Zane Meas as Adam Arendse, is ’n politieke leier en aktivis en is pa van Keagan, gespeel deur Charl Fleurs, ’n slim seun, hoewel hy effens van ’n bangbroek is.

Eric Bouwer as De Wet, is ’n speurder van Johannesburg en Sonja Landman, vertolk deur Kim Lategan, is ’n TV-joernalis wat groot drome het om ’n ondersoekende joernalis te word. Lieb Bester, as Gert Neethling ,is die dronklap van die dorp en sy vrou, Magda, gespeel deur Elsabé Daneel, is iemand wat wys wat onvoorwaardelike liefde beteken.

Kagiso Rathebe, as Sibusiso Jele, is De Wet se kollega en Lusanda Miya, vertolk deur Sibulele Gcilitshana, is kaptein. Deon Prinsloo is ’n siniese speurder by die plaaslike polisiestasie en word gespeel deur Ashley Taylor.

Ander karakters is Ds. Els, met Morné Visser, die maplotter en dwelmhandelaar Piet “Pille” Taljaart, met André Odendaal en sy dogter Esti, met vertolking deur Ineke van der Merwe. Verder sluit die rolverdeling in Hannes van Wyk as die waarnemende skoolhoof, Mnr. Immelman, Marie Fick, die bestuurder van die plaaslike koerant, met immergroen Liz Meiring, asook Fezile Grootboom, Werner se voorman, vertolk deur SK Sombokwe. Die reeks is gegrond op Daddy Longlegs, ’n boek deur die Suid-Afrikaanse skrywer Vernon Baumann.  Die draaiboek is deur Ilse van Hemert geskryf en sy was ook saam met André Odendaal die mede-regisseur. [dropcap][/dropcap]

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kykNET & kie bring vanaf 1 Oktober die eerste splinternuwe telenovela, Arendsvlei, wat drie dae ’n week van Maandag tot Woensdag te sien sal wees.

Arendsvlei  is ’n fiktiewe dorp in die noordelike voorstede van Kaapstad. Hoërskool Arendsvlei, is ’n onafhanklike skool en vorm die middelpunt van alles.  Die skoolhoof Beatrice, vertolk deur Jolene Martin, het die skool gestig om vir die kinders in die gemeenskap ’n goeie opvoeding teen ’n bekostigebare prys te bied. Dis ’n passieprojek wat gefonds is deur erfgeld na haar pa se dood.

Verbode liefde, skuld, skandaal, drama, liefdesdriehoeke, passie, moord, familie, drome: al hierdie kenmerk Arendsvlei.  Die toesighoudende vervaardiger van kykNET, Janine Cornelius, is baie opgewonde oor dié nuwe reeks en sy deel dat kykers hope drama kan verwag, want nie almal in Arendsvlei het goeie bedoelinge nie…

Afgesien hiervan, is daar ’n fantastiese rolverdeling wat ou bekendes insluit, maar ook nuwe talentvolle akteurs, veral onder die jonger karakters, wat aan die kykers voorgestel word.

Die skrywer Theltom Masimila noem dat die taalgebruik Kaaps is: baie gemaklik en eie aan die mense wie se stories vertel word. Masimila vertel dat hulle nie kan nie wag om die kykers te vermaak met karakters, wat sy van mening is, baie beslis in hul harte gaan kruip nie.

Die volledige rolverdeling sluit in Oscar Petersen as David, Jolene Martin van as Beatrice, Ernest St. Claire as Christopher, Maria Valente as Samantha, Jody Abrahams as Lionel, Melanie Du Bois as Ronel, Crystal-Donna Roberts van as Janice, Sherman Pharo as Thys, Dillon Windvogel as Vernon, Gretchen Ramsden as Nicolene, Dean Richard Olivier as Anton, Ann Juries as Claudia, Rehane Abrahams as Wendy, Christian Bennet as Emile, Kay Smith van as Debra, Craig Adriaanse as Wesley, Roberto Kyle as Lee-Roy, Celeste Mathews as Aunty Gertie en Joseph Mitchell as Uncle Johnny.

Dié 156-episode-reeks is verfilm in Kaapstad en word vervaardig deur Penguin Films, eksklusief vir kykNET & kie, en kom tot ’n einde in September 2019.

The post Arendsvlei appeared first on Stage and Screen.

We want to give more of our customers the Explora experience without having to worry about expensive data costs. So we created a decoder with the same features and services as our current Explora, with a streamlined hard drive to keep it affordable.

Nyiko Shiburi, Group General Manager for Broadcast Technology, said ‘Our new Explora uses the latest video compression technology, which means our customers will in future spend less on data when they connect their new Explora to the internet.’

The new Explora has the same extensive Catch Up service, the ability to rent up to 30 BoxOffice movies and internet connectivity for Catch Up Plus, Remote Recording and ShowMax. This extensive content catalogue means our customers are recording less on their Exploras, which is why we’ve made the hard drive smaller to keep the decoder affordable. Customers can record up to 80 hours of HD content on their personal playlist (current Explora has 150 hours of HD recordings).

‘We believe the sheer volume of content available on our Catch Up, Catch Up Plus and ShowMax services, offers our customers an unparalleled entertainment experience. And the streamlined version means we can continue to offer all our customers the chance to own an Explora at an affordable price, despite our weakened Rand,’ continued Nyiko.

The new Explora gets a new A7 remote control, which incorporates features that customers have asked for. These include backlit buttons, which enables users to see it in the dark, the ability to easily program it as a universal remote for your TV and music system, and a ShowMax button for one-touch access.

Nyiko confirmed, ‘The Explora is our flagship decoder and we’ll continue to enhance it with further developments for many years to come.’

The new DStv Explora will retail at R1 499 and this price will be fixed until the end of 2017.

The post MultiChoice launches new DStv Explora appeared first on Stage and Screen.

On 24 August, MultiChoice launched a new satellite, IS36, which will provide additional capacity. This means MultiChoice can start offering additional services. The new satellite will also act as a back-up to the existing IS20 satellite.

DStv channel changes

During the month of October and November, certain DStv packages will undergo changes and customers will get more channels in crystal clear HD. It’s all part of a process aimed at refining channel offerings based on customer feedback and viewing behaviour.

9 DStv channels will change to HD

These will include some of the best loved M-Net channels such as M-Net Movies All Stars, M-Net Family, VUZU Mzansi Wethu and kykNET & Kie as well as certain international favourites such as BBC First, HISTORY, Crime & Investigation and Food Network.

More channels will be added to other DStv packages

Extra customers will get ITV Choice HD and Lifetime, Family customers will pick up M-Net Movies Stars HD, while EasyView customers will receive Jim Jam and Mzansi Music.

Extra customers will also be able to enjoy the specialist language channels: RAI, BVN, RTPI, TV5 Monde and Deutsche Welle

The following channels will stop airing from end of October: CBS Action and Drama, AMC and True Movies.

General Manager for Content, Aletta Alberts, explained the rationale behind these changes. ‘Our focus is to bring our customers the best entertainment possible. We do research every month to understand what they’re watching and what they’d like to watch. This research helped us identify some channels that weren’t popular or that had the same content as other existing channels.

‘We also use this research to understand what we can do to improve the channels we have. This year alone, we’ve enhanced the offering on a number of channels – M-Net Movie Channels, M-Net City and M-Net Family, ITV Choice, FOX Entertainment, VIA, Discovery Family and Discovery IDx to name but a few. This means our customers will be seeing fresher content on a more regular basis.’

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