UKZN CCA Student’s Films Featured at the 2023 African Brazil Festival

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As part of the Catalytic Research Project which has enabled a collaboration between the UKZN Centre for Creative Art’s Film and Media Studies Department and the Brazil African Film Festival, two UKZN students’ films will be screened at this year’s Festival this month.

The Festival’s link to the catalytic research project includes curators from South Africa and Brazil working together to curate content, develop workshops, masterclasses and bring about audience development strategies based on the shared values of the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the Centre’s alliance with film festivals in BRICS countries.

Lecturers in Media and Cultural Studies, Ms Luthando Ngema, Ms Abulele Njisane and Mr Mzwandile Makhanya, hosted a closed event prior to the Festival, mainly with a group of Advanced Video Production students, leadership from the Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) and the School of Arts.

Ngema expressed the necessity for the screening of the two films as part of the closed event to reflect on the process and provide feedback to the writers and directors of the films. 

Ms Siphiwo Minenhle Mdletshe, an Honours student in Media Research, Film and Video Production directed Amandla, a film which tells the story of a teenage girl in Empangeni who lives with her mother and stepfather in Ngwelezane township. Her stepfather is an autocratic and a breadwinner; Amandla has been suffering terrible emotional and physical abuse from her parents since her biological father’s death.

The second drama and romance film written and directed by UKZN Corporate Relations Division staff member and Media and Cultural Studies student, Ms Hlengiwe Khwela is about an Angolan native’s journey, who seeks to find his long-lost father and a new home in a foreign land.

Mr Bhekani Dlamini, Communications Director within the Corporate Relations Division, congratulated Khwela, describing her as a valuable asset to his team. ‘I am not surprised that Hlengiwe has produced and directed a film. She is a brilliant young woman who has always demonstrated her polished skills while working within the Division, especially in writing and editing. I’m always amazed by her strong work ethic and great personality. I wish her all the best in her studies and career,’ he said.

The two student films, according to Ms Noluvuyo Mjoli, project co-ordinator, shed light on important issues surrounding sexual abuse, mental illness, and afrophobic issues in South Africa. ‘Prepare yourself for a powerful love story that aims to remind Africans of the shared past they have despite geographic boundaries if you plan on attending this screening. Additionally, they can anticipate a journey into substance abuse as they watch one character struggle with rape at home,’ she added.

Centre for Creative Arts Director, Dr Ismail Mahomed congratulated the students, saying they not only represent the University, but the country at large. ‘I want to congratulate the student filmmakers whose work has been chosen and will be travelling to Brazil soon. I trust that you will use this as a valuable learning and networking opportunity to evolve your career in the industry. I hope to see your names in more prominent places someday,’ he said.

According to Ngema, the working group on this catalytic research project anticipates that the project will provide significant outputs, resources, and inspiration for further scholastic engagement about how film festivals can be catalysts for cinema friendliness, transformation, and for expanding the transnational film industry.

Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela

Photographs: Supplied