Matsulu Film Festival aims to celebrate South Africa's rich storytelling heritage
The inaugural Matsulu Film Festival in Mpumalanga aims to uplift the local community through storytelling, while fostering economic growth and cultural pride.
In the heart of Mpumalanga's vibrant township of Matsulu, the inaugural Matsulu Film Festival will bring history, culture, and storytelling to life, launching with a powerful lineup of films from across South Africa's provinces.
Powered by Arts At The Village (AATV) and supported by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP5), and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Matsulu Film Festival goes beyond just screening films. It's a bold cultural initiative designed to uplift, educate, and ignite dialogue through the lens of storytelling, while also boosting the township's economy and instilling community pride.
Running from July 31 to August 2, the three-day Matsulu Film Festival promises to captivate audiences with a powerful lineup of films exploring themes of identity, resistance, memory, and hope. At its core is the acclaimed documentary KaNgwane by Mandla Qwabe, a haunting yet empowering portrait of the Mbombela community's struggle under apartheid, shedding light on the forgotten legacy of KaNgwane and the resilience of its people.
Festivalgoers can enjoy a diverse lineup, including Penda, Liphupho (The Dream), Khwela by Victor Molele, Fornication by Mikateko Pule, Kon-Shus by Nthutuko Gumede, and Ghettor Blaster by Linda Chirwa, alongside filmmaker Q&As, youth workshops, and panel discussions, offering a rich experience that supports emerging talent and sparks dialogue on culture and social issues.
Festival Coordinator Innocent Sambo described the event as more than a typical film festival. He emphasised that it serves as a powerful platform to reclaim and share stories that have often been ignored, highlighting and celebrating voices from communities that have historically been marginalised.
'This is more than just a film festival, it is a reclamation of our stories, a celebration of voices long overlooked, and a powerful call to action for communities to embrace storytelling as a tool for cultural preservation and social transformation.'
Sambo emphasised that all festival events are free and open to everyone, with a particular focus on engaging youth and ensuring accessibility for the whole community. The festival is set to draw film lovers, educators, cultural leaders, and stakeholders from across the province and beyond.
The festival will also drive local economic growth by showcasing and supporting vendors, service providers, and artisans, creating a lasting cultural and financial impact in Matsulu and its neighbouring communities.
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2 days ago
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Matsulu Film Festival aims to celebrate South Africa's rich storytelling heritage
The inaugural Matsulu Film Festival in Mpumalanga aims to uplift the local community through storytelling, while fostering economic growth and cultural pride. In the heart of Mpumalanga's vibrant township of Matsulu, the inaugural Matsulu Film Festival will bring history, culture, and storytelling to life, launching with a powerful lineup of films from across South Africa's provinces. Powered by Arts At The Village (AATV) and supported by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP5), and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Matsulu Film Festival goes beyond just screening films. It's a bold cultural initiative designed to uplift, educate, and ignite dialogue through the lens of storytelling, while also boosting the township's economy and instilling community pride. Running from July 31 to August 2, the three-day Matsulu Film Festival promises to captivate audiences with a powerful lineup of films exploring themes of identity, resistance, memory, and hope. At its core is the acclaimed documentary KaNgwane by Mandla Qwabe, a haunting yet empowering portrait of the Mbombela community's struggle under apartheid, shedding light on the forgotten legacy of KaNgwane and the resilience of its people. Festivalgoers can enjoy a diverse lineup, including Penda, Liphupho (The Dream), Khwela by Victor Molele, Fornication by Mikateko Pule, Kon-Shus by Nthutuko Gumede, and Ghettor Blaster by Linda Chirwa, alongside filmmaker Q&As, youth workshops, and panel discussions, offering a rich experience that supports emerging talent and sparks dialogue on culture and social issues. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Festival Coordinator Innocent Sambo described the event as more than a typical film festival. He emphasised that it serves as a powerful platform to reclaim and share stories that have often been ignored, highlighting and celebrating voices from communities that have historically been marginalised. 'This is more than just a film festival, it is a reclamation of our stories, a celebration of voices long overlooked, and a powerful call to action for communities to embrace storytelling as a tool for cultural preservation and social transformation.' Sambo emphasised that all festival events are free and open to everyone, with a particular focus on engaging youth and ensuring accessibility for the whole community. The festival is set to draw film lovers, educators, cultural leaders, and stakeholders from across the province and beyond. The festival will also drive local economic growth by showcasing and supporting vendors, service providers, and artisans, creating a lasting cultural and financial impact in Matsulu and its neighbouring communities. The Star
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Matsulu Film Festival aims to celebrate South Africa's rich storytelling heritage
Masabata Mkwananzi | Published 12 minutes ago The inaugural Matsulu Film Festival in Mpumalanga aims to uplift the local community through storytelling, while fostering economic growth and cultural pride. In the heart of Mpumalanga's vibrant township of Matsulu, the inaugural Matsulu Film Festival will bring history, culture, and storytelling to life, launching with a powerful lineup of films from across South Africa's provinces. Powered by Arts At The Village (AATV) and supported by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP5), and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Matsulu Film Festival goes beyond just screening films. It's a bold cultural initiative designed to uplift, educate, and ignite dialogue through the lens of storytelling, while also boosting the township's economy and instilling community pride. Running from July 31 to August 2, the three-day Matsulu Film Festival promises to captivate audiences with a powerful lineup of films exploring themes of identity, resistance, memory, and hope. At its core is the acclaimed documentary KaNgwane by Mandla Qwabe, a haunting yet empowering portrait of the Mbombela community's struggle under apartheid, shedding light on the forgotten legacy of KaNgwane and the resilience of its people. Festivalgoers can enjoy a diverse lineup, including Penda, Liphupho (The Dream), Khwela by Victor Molele, Fornication by Mikateko Pule, Kon-Shus by Nthutuko Gumede, and Ghettor Blaster by Linda Chirwa, alongside filmmaker Q&As, youth workshops, and panel discussions, offering a rich experience that supports emerging talent and sparks dialogue on culture and social issues. Festival Coordinator Innocent Sambo described the event as more than a typical film festival. He emphasised that it serves as a powerful platform to reclaim and share stories that have often been ignored, highlighting and celebrating voices from communities that have historically been marginalised. 'This is more than just a film festival, it is a reclamation of our stories, a celebration of voices long overlooked, and a powerful call to action for communities to embrace storytelling as a tool for cultural preservation and social transformation.' Sambo emphasised that all festival events are free and open to everyone, with a particular focus on engaging youth and ensuring accessibility for the whole community. The festival is set to draw film lovers, educators, cultural leaders, and stakeholders from across the province and beyond. The festival will also drive local economic growth by showcasing and supporting vendors, service providers, and artisans, creating a lasting cultural and financial impact in Matsulu and its neighbouring communities. The Star [email protected]
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‘Doc in the Bay' empowering emerging filmmakers
A group of 15 aspiring filmmakers from the Eastern Cape are being given the opportunity to sharpen their skills and bring their stories to life, thanks to an intensive documentary training initiative under way in Gqeberha. Now in its second year, the Doc in the Bay programme is equipping participants with the tools and hands-on experience needed to produce short-form documentaries of broadcast quality. Running from late June until July 25, the programme blends theory with practical application — guiding emerging talent through every step of the filmmaking process, from concept development to post-production. Project manager Warda Mallick said the programme served a critical need within local communities by empowering storytellers to share authentic narratives rooted in the region's diverse cultural and social fabric. 'An initiative like this fills a vital gap in our communities, enabling local voices to create and share authentic content which showcases our unique stories and perspectives,' Mallick said. 'Participants will receive remuneration for their time and also gain the skills and knowledge needed to raise funds and monetise their work.' Training is delivered by a panel of respected industry professionals, including national and international producers. Online masterclasses cover key aspects of the craft, with participants also working towards an NQF Level 5 accredited qualification in producer unit standards. The programme forms part of the National Film and Video Foundation's Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme and has already made an economic impact by creating work opportunities for about 50 individuals and businesses in the film sector. Clayton Thom of Shoot97 Productions, one of the partners involved, emphasised the long-term value of the programme. 'By developing producers and crew to broadcast standards, the programme addresses a crucial gap in the local film industry,' he said. 'It empowers filmmakers to secure funding, produce high-quality content and monetise their work — ultimately driving industry growth and job creation.' The programme will culminate in a celebratory screening and awards event, where the finished films will be showcased — marking not only the end of training, but the beginning of a new chapter for Gqeberha's emerging film voices. The Herald
