KZN filmmakers take centre stage at Joburg Film Festival

KwaZulu-Natal’s film industry is set to take a significant step forward as several provincial productions and filmmakers showcase their work at the Joburg Film Festival. The film festival started on Tuesday with the last day set for Sunday. The KZN Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA) said the festival presents an important opportunity to position the province as both a source of compelling African stories and a credible destination for film production.

The organisation said the global demand for African content is growing rapidly, with international streaming platforms increasingly looking to the continent for authentic storytelling. Against this backdrop, KZNTAFA said it is intensifying efforts to ensure KZN is recognised not only for its creative talent, but also as an investment-ready filming destination. Interim Chief Executive Officer of KZNTAFA, Sibusiso Gumbi, said the province’s presence at the festival reflects the growing maturity of its screen industry.

“The Joburg Film Festival is a commercial and strategic platform. It connects filmmakers directly with buyers, distributors, streamers and commissioning editors,” said Gumbi. Our objective is clear — to ensure KwaZulu-Natal productions are competitive, visible and positioned for sustainable market access. Among the productions funded by KZNTAFA that will screen at the festival areGod’s Work, directed by Sithabile Mkhize and Michael James;And She Didn’t Die, directed by Kethiwe Ngcobo; andIzenzo Zami, directed by Zigizendoda Yeni.