District Six comes alive at the successful 2025 HACC Festival
The historic Old District Six echoed with the vibrant pulse of cinema as the 2025 edition of the HACC Festival wrapped up, leaving a significant imprint on Cape Town's film landscape.
This year's festival, in a powerful partnership with the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation and the District Six Homecoming Centre, revitalised the spirit of one of South Africa's most renowned cultural hubs, celebrating film, community, and storytelling.
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Opening night kicked off with an exciting cinematic showcase featuring 'Hans Steek Die Rubicon Oor' from South Africa and the Moroccan film 'Milk Brothers,' both of which captivated a receptive audience.
The festival's journey continued with a thrilling Saturday night headliner, 'Masinga' by Mark Engels, where industry professionals gathered to celebrate the art of filmmaking.
This year's cinematic offerings engaged viewers in a nostalgic yet forward-thinking celebration, embodying the creative renaissance of Cape Town.
The closing night featured the poignant film 'Lottery Love' followed by a dynamic awards ceremony that honoured exceptional talents while pushing forward the vision of a diverse, vibrant, and sustainable African film community.
As HACC Festival embarks on its journey, it has already begun to leave a legacy—evident by the full-house screenings and attendees flying in from across the world, including Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania, Sweden, and Los Angeles.
Supported by a generous sponsorship from Stellar Network (XLM) and bolstered by a partnership with Fountains Hotel, the HACC Festival emerged as a bustling hub of activity and learning. The festival proudly offered two noteworthy masterclasses: a screenwriting session led by Hollywood writer and producer Evette Vargas, and a sound and music design workshop with renowned South African talent Bheki Mlambo. These sessions sparked enthusiastic participation and reinvigorated local creatives.
The 2025 edition of the HACC Festival concluded with resounding success,
The curated selection of films was a highlight of the festival, celebrated by attendees and critics as a clear indication of Cape Town's reawakening as a cinematic powerhouse. Notably, there was a remarkable 25% increase in film submissions this year—a testament to the growing significance and reach of the HACC Festival.
The festival culminated in a spirited awards ceremony where accolades were awarded across multiple categories, celebrating innovation and excellence. Among the winners were: Top Documentary: WINNER: Beyond Olympic Glory (Nigeria) by Shedrack Salami
WINNER: Beyond Olympic Glory (Nigeria) by Shedrack Salami Top Short: WINNER: Belinda (South Africa) by Isaac Kasende
WINNER: Belinda (South Africa) by Isaac Kasende Audience Choice Award: WINNER: Hans Steek Die Rubicon Oor (South Africa) by Corne Van Rooyen
WINNER: Hans Steek Die Rubicon Oor (South Africa) by Corne Van Rooyen Weaam Williams Award for Visionary Storytelling: WINNER: V's Secret (Egypt) by Bassma Farah Nancy
WINNER: V's Secret (Egypt) by Bassma Farah Nancy Jury Top Feature:
WINNER: Lottery Love (South Africa) by Mlungisi Thabiso Mhlanga
As we reflect on this impactful edition of the HACC Festival, there is a profound sense of gratitude for the filmmakers, attendees, partners, and the community that made this celebration a reality. The HACC Festival has proven to be more than an assembly of films; it has become a movement dedicated to nurturing a sustainable film industry and elevating African cinematic excellence.
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