UKZN Student Filmmakers Reap the Benefits of NIHSS Grant

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UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) secured a R1 million Catalytic Research Grant from the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) in 2023.

This led to a two-year partnership between the CCA and the Discipline of Media and Cultural Studies (MECS) at UKZN.

The partnership resulted in several projects that benefited MECS Video Production and Advanced Video Production students, while raising UKZN’s profile in the filmmaking space.

One example of this success is a short film produced through the partnership that was named a finalist for the prestigious Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards, presented by the KwaZulu-Natal Film and Tourism Authority.

The NIHSS Catalytic Research Programme aims to revitalise research and teaching in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) in South Africa through research-based projects designed to open new avenues of scholarship. It also supports the development of researcher networks across South African universities and the Global South.

Under the leadership of CCA Director Dr Ismail Mahomed, and a working group of MECS academics - Dr Luthando Ngema, Mr Mzwandile Makhanya, and Ms Abulele Njisane - alongside CCA Project Officer Ms Noluvuyo Mjoli, the MECS department contributed to the research, teaching and training components of the project.

Although the core focus of the grant was to develop a partnership between the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), presented by the CCA, and the African Film Festival in Brazil, the development component enabled a cohort of MECS honours students to produce five micro-budget short films.

Two of the five films - The Journey Home and Amandla - were selected for screening at the 2023 African Film Festival in São Paulo, Brazil. As part of this opportunity, two students, along with Ms Noluvuyo Mjoli and Mr Sakhile Gumede from the CCA, travelled to the festival to participate in panel discussions on the state of African cinema. Gumede heads CCA’s outreach and public engagement for DIFF.

In 2024, the project expanded to include UKZN honours students and film graduates from across the province in the production of documentary films. Masterclasses, designed by MECS academic staff, guided participants through pre-production, production and post-production phases. These sessions also served as platforms for networking and collaboration, helping to spark new projects.

Key themes of the masterclasses included storytelling, production management, marketing and distribution, cinematography (including lighting, sound and camera angles), and editing.

As a result of these masterclasses, three documentary films were produced: Daughters of Lost Fathers, Kwanele Mtshali’s Journey and Gifted.

Currently receiving acclaim is Daughters of Lost Fathers, produced through the masterclasses. The film has been named a finalist for the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards in the categories of Best Documentary Short Film and Best Micro-Budget Film.

The documentary follows two sisters as they deal with the emotional impact of their father’s abandonment and their journey towards healing and self-discovery.

The NIHSS grant, combined with UKZN’s masterclasses, served as catalysts for the creation of Daughters of Lost Fathers. Its production and award nomination stand as testament to the success of the NIHSS Catalytic Research Grant, led by the CCA in collaboration with UKZN’s Media and Cultural Studies programme.

Words: Jennene Naidu

Photographs: Supplied