Latest news with #KZNTAFA
IOL News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
KZN filmmaker Khethiwe Ngcobo showcases her mother's legacy in new documentary at UK festival
Zikethiwe Ngcobo's documentary And She Didn't Die explores the extraordinary life of her mother, Lauretta Ngcobo. Image: Supplied A new documentary produced in KwaZulu-Natal is set to make its international debut at the Sheffield Documentary Festival in the United Kingdom next month. And She Didn't Die, created by filmmaker Khethiwe Ngcobo, is a deeply personal tribute to her late mother, Lauretta Ngcobo, the renowned author, political activist, and former KZN Legislature member. The documentary aims to preserve the legacy of a woman whose voice has helped shape the country's political and literary history. The film has been made possible with funding from the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA), whose mandate is to grow the province's creative economy and promote local storytelling. 'We are incredibly proud to support this documentary, and Ms Ngcobo's work embodies the kind of creative excellence and cultural preservation that the Authority stands behind,' said Sibusiso Gumbi, Acting CEO of KZNTAFA. 'She Didn't Die is more than a documentary; it is a powerful archive of South African memory, heritage, and identity, told brilliantly by a KZN filmmaker.' The documentary draws inspiration from Lauretta's landmark novel And They Didn't Die and will have its debut screening at the Sheffield Documentary Festival which takes place from June 18 to 23. 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 ✕ The Ngcobo family with Lauretta Ngcobo, centre, seated, and from back left, Zabantu Ngcobo, Nomkhosi Ngcobo, AB Ngcobo and seated on the floor Nonhlanhla Williams and Zikethiwe Ngcobo. Image: Supplied It will have its South African premiere at the Encounters International Documentary Festival from June 19–29 in Cape Town and Johannesburg. 'This film would not have been possible without the support of the KZNTAFA,' said Ngcobo. 'They have been a consistent ally in my creative journey, and their support has allowed me to bring this deeply personal and nationally significant story to life.' Shot in uMzimkhulu and around Inanda Dam, the film features archival footage and interviews. It stars Lemogang Tsipa and Busisiwe Mtshali.
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
South African doccie about sex workers showing at Cannes film festival
The 67-minute documentary focuses on activists who have conducted a decade-long fight to reform discriminatory laws. Womxn: Working, a documentary that tells the story of a group of fearless South African sex worker activists, is showing at the Cannes Film Festival in France. 'This documentary is not just a film, it is a powerful advocacy tool that amplifies the voices of sex workers and champions the fight for decriminalisation in South Africa,' the film's producer, Tiny Mungwe, said before flying out to France. The 78th Cannes Film Festival kicked off on May 13 and ends on Saturday, May 24. ALSO READ: Denzel Washington 'blessed beyond measure' after surprise tribute at Cannes Film Festival Womxn: Working The 67-minute documentary zooms in on activists who have conducted a decade-long fight to reform discriminatory laws while working to protect the dignity of sex workers in South Africa, which is still grappling with HIV and gender-based violence. The film, which will soon be screened in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, as well as to lawmakers and politicians, is expected to raise awareness by educating and engaging the public. It is also expected to shift perceptions and build wider support. Mungwe is in the French Riviera to lobby and build relationships with global decision-makers and distributors to get her latest projects onto the international film circuit. ALSO READ: Trump's film tantrum: Brandon Auret calls on Gayton McKenzie to invest in local films Support from the province Womxn: Working was produced in Durban and is financed by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA), which has also sent two KZNTAFA representatives to Cannes with Mungwe. For more than a decade, the KZN Film Commission – now known as the KZN Tourism and Film Authority – has participated in Cannes. Each year, the KZN delegation, comprising filmmakers, officials and emerging producers, has used the festival as a springboard to build international networks, pitch co-production projects and attract foreign investment. The Commission has hosted networking events, participated in panel discussions, and partnered with national bodies such as the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) to present a unified South African presence. Acting CEO of KZN Tourism and Film Sibusiso Gumbi said consistent participation has elevated the province's global profile and led to direct economic benefits 'including location shoots in KZN by international productions and strengthened bilateral relations with foreign film commissions and skills exchange programmes for emerging filmmakers'. Earlier this month US President Donald Trump proposed a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced content shown in the US. If implemented, it would apply to locally made films, potentially even productions filmed in Mzansi locations such as KZN and series sold to the US. The Womxn: Working team believes that the documentary will position KZN as a beacon of innovation and advocacy in the film industry. Mungwe added that she had two feature films in development and had strong leads for them at Cannes. ''We also have an artist residency called Ehoin Retreat in which we run labs for the film industry. So, we took meetings with potential partners while at Cannes, proving that this is a phenomenal platform for filmmakers to attend and build solid partnerships.' NOW READ: Tom Cruise has world guessing as he unleashes 'Mission: Impossible' at Cannes
