South Africa
The Station Strangler documentary revisits the serial murders that terrorised Cape Town’s Cape Flats between the late 1980s and mid-1990s, when 21 boys and one adult were killed. As South Africa approached democracy, Mitchells Plain lived in fear while justice remained elusive. The film examines the 2023 parole release of Norman Simons, convicted of only one murder, and the anger it reignited. Through interviews with victims’ families, detectives and profiler Micki Pistorius, the documentary explores trauma, memory and unresolved justice.
Visual artist Lwando Dlamini develops a new body of work exploring masculinity, vulnerability and emotional healing. Growing up in Philippi, he struggles with expectations placed on Black men and the belief that “men don’t cry”. Guided by conversations with friend and collaborator Nande “Dla,” he confronts how silence and toxic masculinity sustain pain and violence. Through painting, Lwando discovers that art can become a process of emotional release, self-repair and healing, expressed through colour, texture and vulnerability.
Developed by acclaimed actress Karin Retief, Act Out Workshops is a creative training space that uses drama, storytelling, and performance techniques to build confidence, communication, and self-expression. Through practical, engaging sessions, participants explore creativity, strengthen their voice, and connect with others in a supportive environment. Designed for aspiring performers and professionals alike, the workshops combine acting, improvisation, and storytelling with life-skills development. Act Out Workshops aims to nurture artistic talent while empowering individuals to think boldly, collaborate effectively, and realise their full potential.
Analyse an excerpt from a film together with a film director. Learn how to identify a scene’s objective and translate it into a shot list using strategic framing sizes. However, be warned: after this workshop, you will never watch a film the same way again.
The creators of Tussen Hemel en Aarde and numerous other popular M-Net hits, Reckless Haven and Dear Heart Productions, offer an intimate look at the art of documentary filmmaking. Join the team as they discuss the delicate process of discovering stories, earning participants’ trust, and the emotional journey of transforming real experiences into cinematic truths.
Five decades ago, in January 1976, South Africa’s first television broadcast changed the course of entertainment. To celebrate this milestone, your favourite stars and creators come together to share untold stories from behind the camera, from the early days of the SABC to the issues surrounding television jobs today, and speculate on what the next 50 years will hold.
South Africa
KOMBI (Taxi), A Father’s Sacrifice, shot in less than two days by Prosper Chikwasa, follows a devoted taxi driver navigating South Africa’s dangerous industry during the excitement of the Rugby World Cup. While the nation rallies behind the South African national rugby team, he quietly challenges the stereotypes of taxi drivers – revealing a thoughtful, committed father whose deep love for his children drives the sacrifices he makes every day to secure their future.
South Africa
Centred around the transformative power of para surfing, a sport that not only facilitates physical healing but also fosters a deep sense of pride and agency, Facing Forward follows the build-up to the Para Surf 2024 competition. Following the stories of athletes who have found support, training and community through dedicated surf programmes, the film demonstrates how sport can serve as a vehicle for confidence, connection, and personal growth.
China, South Africa
A dialogue unfolds between filmmaker Kwei and his family as he returns to his home in China after years abroad, confronting the quiet expectations that have shaped his identity.
South Africa
Tonderai, a young Zimbabwean boy living in a South African township, anxiously awaits his mother’s return from work at nightfall. A xenophobic mob is running rampant, and he fears the worst. He watches over his gravely ill and bedridden younger brother, who is desperate for drinking water. With no running water in their shack, Tonderai must lurk like a rodent in the shadows to fetch safe drinking water at the communal tap, risking his life because his neighbours are attacking foreigners.
