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.
Language: Afrikaans
Van BoksTV tot Boxoffice: 5 Dekades
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.
Bitterkomix: Oorsprong, inspirasie en metodiek
An in-depth conversation about Bitterkomix, focusing on the creative process behind its iconic comics. From concept to execution, the world of alternative comics is unpacked, offering insight into style, content, and the challenges of the medium.
Netwerk24: Agter die Opskrifte
An insightful panel discussion presented by Netwerk24, focusing on current affairs, politics, and the issues affecting South Africans. Expect thoughtful conversation, expert perspectives, and a deeper look at the stories behind the news.
Nuwe boeke in die skaduwee van aanlyn publikasies
What does it mean to publish a book in a world where online platforms set the pace? This conversation explores the tension between traditional publishing and digital spaces and its implications for the future of reading and writing.
Die toekoms van skolerugby in die Vrystaat
What does the future hold for school rugby in the Free State? This insightful panel discussion brings together key voices from both school and provincial rugby to explore development, transformation, and the challenges faced by young players and coaches. From talent identification and access to resources, to performance pressure and building sustainable systems, the conversation unpacks what it truly takes to grow the game. With a strong focus on the local context and practical insights, this session offers a valuable look at where Free State rugby is heading and how the next generation of players is being shaped.
LEEFBAAR
A new Afrikaans play by Nico Scheepers explores the fragile boundaries between family, memory, and survival. When Stefan unexpectedly learns that his parents are on their way – after years of half-truths and evasive contact – his carefully constructed life is quietly disrupted. It is a sharp and familiar look at inheritance … not only of land or possessions, but of love, guilt, and reproach. With keen observation and dark humour, LEEFBAAR exposes the Afrikaner’s almost supernatural ability to survive in silence.
Hartsbriewe
Prepare for a nostalgic journey filled with warmth and love in all its forms. Coenraad Rall’s piano reminds you of moments past, while Hannes van Wyk shares a selection of intimate letters once kept like secrets. These heartfelt letters – sometimes funny, sometimes sad, always sincere – tell of lost loves, family memories, and simple joys. Hartsbriewe is a tribute to what moves us, offering stories, humour, a tear or two, and a lasting sense of comfort.
Free State Jazz Series
The 2026 Free State Jazz Series features leading South African musicians, including Siya Makuzeni, Abraham Mennen, Sphelelo Mazibuko, Sanele Phakati, and Dalisu Ndlazi. Performances take place in the intimate, pop-up Jazz Lounge at the Wynand Mouton Theatre, foregrounding improvisation and collaboration. The programme reflects both the depth of South Africa’s jazz heritage and its evolving contemporary forms, highlighting the genre’s expressive range. It affirms the Institute’s commitment to expanding audiences, supporting a sustainable local jazz culture, and recognising jazz as a dynamic cultural form.
Presented by The International Institute of the Arts at the University of the Free State.
TRANS/VAAL
A moving and deeply human story unfolds in TRANS/VAAL – a new Afrikaans dance theatre production that, with honesty and courage, explores themes of identity, belonging, and self-acceptance against the backdrop of rural South Africa in the 1980s. It follows the coming-of-age of a young Afrikaner boy who feels different in a world that demands obedience and conformity. Through a series of poetic, sometimes humorous and often painful vignettes, he discovers what it means to be true to himself: to accept his identity despite the expectations of his conservative community.
