South African Filmmaking

Interviews with South African Filmmakers and Screenwriters / Courses for Writers / Story Editing and Polishing / From Page To Screen / 2023 Film Releases / 2024 Film Releases / 2025 Film Releases / The Art Of Writing and Making Films / Contact Us

Pappa Lap is a classic 1971 Afrikaans drama directed by Jans Rautenbach with Koos Roets as cinematographer. It explores the touching relationship between a widowed father and his 17-year-old daughter. The story revolves around her dreams of attending her matric farewell in a beautiful dress, while her father secretly sacrifices his beloved pigeons to make her dream come true. VIEW FILM

Don’t miss these 7 exciting South African film debuts

New cinema releases

  • My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding – a South African comedy film directed and written by Theshan Naicker. Set and filmed in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, the film celebrates the vibrant chaos, cultural richness, and familial drama of a South African Indian wedding. While the full plot hasn’t been publicly detailed yet, the title and production context suggest a playful homage to the genre popularised by My Big Fat Greek Wedding, reimagined through a Durban lens. In cinemas 12 December
  • Dear Sis Dolly is a South African comedy-drama film currently in development, inspired by the iconic advice column from Drum Magazine. When an ambitious psychologist takes a job as an agony aunt for Drum Magazine, she must dismantle her identity and embrace vulnerability to become the nation’s new voice of truth and tenderness. This South African comedy-drama is currently in development, produced by Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri and Joel Chikapa-Phiri. It explores themes of reinvention, emotional honesty, and the tension between intellect and lived experience. In cinemas 30 January 2026
  • The Heart Is a Muscle (2025) is a South African drama-thriller written and directed by Imran Hamdulay, marking his debut feature. At a birthday barbecue, Ryan’s five-year-old son briefly goes missing. His violent reaction sets off a chain of events that unearth buried secrets, forcing a reckoning with masculinity, memory, and the fragile bonds between fathers and sons. In cinemas 6 March, 2026

Now showing in cinemas / streaming

  • In Finding Optel, Teenager Claire Abrahams runs a lost and found service where she locates anything and everything that has been misplaced. When Optel, the community dog, goes missing, Claire must confront her brother’s painful disappearance to solve her biggest case yet.   Made as part of Showmax’s first-time director slate to open up the industry in partnership with Joburg Film Festival, Finding Optel is co-directed by 25-year-old Mikayla Joy Brown and her 30-year-old brother Jesse Brown, who were inspired by Amélie, Wes Anderson and their childhood memories of their grandparents’ home in Montevideo on the Cape Flats. Finding Optel had its South African premiere at the kykNET Silwerskerm Festival in August, where the whimsical detective story received a standing ovation, a nomination for Paul Guyeu’s cinematography, and the Best Production Design award for Sumaya Wicomb.  Mikayla Joy stars as Claire, supported by an all-star cast that includes award winner Oscar Petersen (Joe Barber) as her father, SAFTA nominee Zenobia Kloppers (Fiela se Kind), Rodney “Rotas” Goliath and Sherman Pharo (both Arendsvlei), Maurice Carpede and Euodia Samson (both Summertide), Elton Landrew (Spinners, Carissa), and Omar Adams (Barakat, The Umbrella Men). Streaming on Showmax
  • Hen, directed by South African filmmaker Nico Scheepers, is a psychological horror film set on a remote farm where a small family confronts isolation, trauma, and an encroaching darkness. Produced by Nagvlug Films and Nostalgia Productions, the film is part of the ykNET Silwerskermfees 2025 lineup and showcases original Afrikaans storytelling with a stark, atmospheric tone.
  • Loved Out is a quirky indie romantic comedy that delves into chaos, charm, and a touch of criminal intrigue, inspired by the creators’ own chaotic, vibrant lives, particularly the messy intersections of family, identity, and survival in a world that doesn’t always make room for softness. This rom-com draws from real-life experiences and conversations that spilt over into a podcast and social media content, forming a whole creative universe around the story.
  • Set in the isolated village of Wupperthal, Carissa is a quietly riveting South African drama that traces a young woman’s yearning for self-definition against the shadow of rural inheritance. Directed by Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar, the film follows Carissa as she clashes with her stern grandmother and is cast out of her childhood home. Taking refuge with her estranged grandfather—a rooibos farmer resisting the slow erosion of ancestral land, Carissa’s journey unfolds within a community deeply tied to place and history.
  • Hunting Jessica Brok is a South African action-thriller following Jessica Brok, a retired special forces agent who must battle a group of vengeful psychopaths and survive the African wilderness to rescue her kidnapped daughter. Directed by Alastair Orr, it stars Danica De La Rey Jones as Jessica Brok and Clyde Berning as Daniel Conner.
  • Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight is a drama directed by Embeth Davidtz, based on Alexandra Fuller’s acclaimed memoir of the same name. The story follows 8-year-old Bobo, growing up on her family’s farm in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) during the final days of the Rhodesian Bush War in 1980. Told through Bobo’s eyes, the film explores the emotional complexity of a child caught between worlds—her deep love for Africa and the harsh realities of a country in turmoil. It’s a poignant coming-of-age tale that captures the scars of war, the resilience of family, and the haunting beauty of a land in transition.
  • A story of friendship, adventure, and rediscovering joy in old age, the South African comedy-drama Die Kwiksilwers features a widow in her 80s and her three elderly friends as they embark on a hilarious road trip across the Karoo to witness a meteor shower in Sutherland. Review
  • The South African drama Sabbatical follows a successful investment banker Lesego  (Mona Monyane), who unexpectedly returns to her childhood home in Thorntree, South Africa, after being suspended for financial misconduct. Read more
  • Die Dekonstruksie van Retta Blom is a South African drama that tells of a woman (Antoinette Louw)  who believes her life is perfect—until she discovers that her husband of 26 years has been living a double life. Based on Zelda Bezuidenhout’s best seller, it is directed by Pieter Grobbelaar and written by Henriëtta Gryffenberg. It is based on the popular novel by Zelda Bezuidenhout. Read more / TRAILER

The South African drama A Kind Of Madness follows a 70-year-old man who abducts his wife, who is suffering from dementia, from her retirement home. Together, they go on the run, pursued by both the police and their adult children.  It is directed by Christiaan Olwagen and stars Sandra Prinsloo, Ian Roberts, Ashley de Lange. It’s a poignant tale that explores themes of love, memory, and defiance. Read more / Trailer

FILMS LISTED ALPHABETICALLY

CINEMA OF SOUTH AFRICA

As the industry evolves, South African cinema remains a powerful medium for exploring diverse perspectives and engaging audiences both locally and internationally. The future holds great promise for even more groundbreaking and thought-provoking films to emerge from this vibrant and dynamic industry.

The South African film industry has a fascinating history that reflects the country’s complex socio-political landscape.

Here’s a brief overview:

Early Beginnings

  • 1895: The first motion pictures were shown in South Africa, with the Kinetoscope being introduced in Johannesburg.
  • 1896: Carl Hertz brought a projector from England. He screened the first production at the Empire Palace of Varieties in Johannesburg.

Apartheid Era

  • 1940s-1980s: The rise of apartheid had a profound impact on South African cinema. Films were heavily censored, and the industry predominantly depicted the lives of white South Africans1.
  • 1960s: Filmmakers like Lionel Ngakane and Peter Hunt emerged. They aimed to counter the dominant apartheid narrative. They also wanted to raise awareness about the struggles faced by Black South Africans.
  • 1980s: Films like Cry Freedom and A Dry White Season challenged the apartheid regime and gained international recognition.

Post-Apartheid Era

  • 1994: The end of apartheid marked a new era for South African cinema. This change allowed filmmakers to explore a broader range of subjects.

After 2000, the South African film industry experienced a significant transformation, marked by increased international recognition and a surge in local productions

  • 2000s: South African films like Tsotsi and gained international acclaim, showcasing the talent and creativity of local filmmakers.
  • 2005: Tsotsi, directed by Gavin Hood, won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. This achievement put South African cinema on the global map.
  • 2009: District 9 , directed by Neill Blomkamp, gained international acclaim. It blended science fiction with social commentary. The film showcased South Africa’s unique backdrop.
  • 2017: Inxeba (The Wound) directed by John Trengove sparked discussions about cultural taboos and identity within the Xhosa community.

Growth & Support

  • Government Initiatives: The South African government introduced various incentives to boost the film industry. They offered support programs, including tax rebates and funding for local productions.
  • Cape Town Film Studios: Established as a world-class production facility, attracting international filmmakers and productions.
  • Durban International Film Festival: Became a prominent platform for showcasing South African and international films, fostering cultural exchange and collaboration.

Streaming platforms have had a significant impact on the South African film industry, both positively and negatively

Positive Impacts

  • Increased Accessibility: Streaming platforms like Netflix, Showmax, and Disney+ have made South African films more accessible to a global audience. This has helped local filmmakers reach viewers beyond South Africa’s borders.
  • Diverse Content: These platforms have invested in local content, producing and distributing South African films and series. This has led to a surge in diverse storytelling and representation.
  • Revenue Growth: The rise of streaming services has contributed to the growth of the South African entertainment industry. The over-the-top (OTT) streaming industry in South Africa is the largest on the continent, generating significant revenue.

Negative Impacts

  • Decline in Cinema Attendance: The convenience and affordability of streaming services have led to a decline in cinema attendance. This has affected traditional cinema chains, with some closing down locations and reducing their workforce.
  • Competition for Viewers: Streaming platforms have created stiff competition for traditional broadcasters and cinemas, leading to a shift in consumer preferences. This has forced local cinema chains to adapt and diversify their offerings.
  • Economic Challenges: The rise of streaming services has also highlighted economic challenges faced by traditional cinema operators, such as load-shedding and consumer spending constraints.

Overall, while streaming platforms have opened up new opportunities for South African filmmakers and increased the visibility of local content, they have also posed challenges for traditional cinema chains and broadcasters. The industry continues to adapt to these changes, striving to balance the benefits of streaming with the unique experiences offered by cinemas.