In 2023, in partnership with the Joburg Film Festival, Showmax shared an open call for a slate of movies from first-time film directors from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. Two years and 296 submissions later, audiences at this year’s Joburg Film Festival will have their first chance to see what happens when you open up the industry to new voices.
Seven films from the first-time director slate will have their world premieres at this year’s festival, running from 11-16 March 2025, before streaming on Showmax from April.
“Showmax is committed to opening up the industry. Incredible work is continually underway to support new talent and foster fresh perspectives in storytelling,” says Tracy Ann van Rooyen, Showmax’s new executive head of content. “We have helped filmmakers like Mandla N and Kelsey Egan produce their first movies, which both went on to win SAFTAs and achieve incredible success. So we’re delighted to showcase a new wave of filmmakers at this year’s Joburg Film Festival.”
In competition
Adam, directed by Liyema Speelman
Premiere: 2:15pm, Sunday, 16 March at Nu Metro Hyde Park
Stream on Showmax from 4 April
Screening in competition at Joburg Film Festival, Adam follows a headstrong teenager who clashes with his idealistic teacher at a militaristic farm school.
Rising star Marko Vorster (Francois in Donkerbos) plays Adam, with Dirk Stoltz (DeWet Basson in 7de Laan) as his teacher and SAFTA nominee Inge Beckmann (Wyfie, 8) as his mother. The stacked cast also includes 2024 SAFTA Best Actress winner Antoinette Louw (The Fragile King, DAM), Dillon Windvogel (Spinners, Blood & Water), and Paul Strydom (Reënboogrant, Spooksoeker).
The topical drama is written by Winford Collings and directed by Liyema Speelman, inspired by their own brutal experiences at high school.
Watch the trailer HERE
Kites, directed by Menzi Mzimela
Premiere: 12 noon, Tuesday, 11 March at Theatre on the Square
Stream on Showmax from 25 April
Screening in competition at Joburg Film Festival, Kites follows Sihle, who reluctantly agrees to chauffeur his DJ friends around Joburg for their big audition at the city’s hottest club. Their night takes a wild turn when they end up having to get rid of a dead body.
Craig Nobela (Nkosiyabo on The Queen) stars as Sihle, with Africa Movie Academy Awards nominee Aphiwe Mkefe (Oscar-shortlisted Lakutshon ’Ilanga) and Marcus Molemane (The Estate) as the DJs Links and Neo. Also look out for SAFTA nominee Wanda Zuma (Nkosi Zwide in House of Zwide).
Watch the trailer HERE
Official selections
Bet I Love You, directed by Nigeria’s Joseph Duke
Premiere: 7pm, Wednesday, 12 March at Nu Metro Hyde Park
Stream on Showmax from 23 May
Rex, a compulsive gambler, lands himself in hot water when he loses the lobola money meant for his sister’s wedding. Realising that his addiction is jeopardising both his family’s reputation and his relationship, he scrambles to make things right.
Khumbuza Meyiwa (The Queen) stars as Rex, with Nosipho Majola (Uzalo) as Nthabi and Smangele Mhlongo (Uzalo, Sibongile and The Dlaminis) as Aunt Lungi, the opportunistic wedding planner. Also look out for SAFTA nominee Gabisile Tshabalala (The Black Door) as Wendy, Rex’s supportive yet frustrated girlfriend.
Watch the trailer HERE.
Bobo, directed by Kenya’s Maurice Muendo
Premiere: 3pm, Friday, 14 March at The Forge
Stream on Showmax from 23 May
Bobo’s dreams are dashed when she misses a chance to secure a bursary and discovers her family is on the brink of losing their land to a loan shark.
Bobo introduces newcomer Faith Muthoni in the title role, supported by Kelly Njeri Gathoni (Jiji), Zak Matasi (4Play), Elvis Makutsa (Selina), Thuita Mwangi (Pepeta), Naitwa Louisa (Kina), and Catherine Buluma (Tehanani).
Watch the trailer HERE.
Ndingowakho, directed by Siphokazi Mtila
Premiere: 7pm, Friday, 14 March at Nu Metro Hyde Park
Stream on Showmax from 11 April
After growing up with her aunt in the suburbs, Thandi is forced to move back to the township and in with her estranged mother Phindi, due to her poor academic performance at school.
Pamela Mabedumane (Umzi Watsha) stars as Thandi, with SAFTA nominee Talitha Ndima (Soft Life) as Phindi. Also look out for Zukisa Matola (Uzalo) and Lebo Pelesane (Muvhango).
Watch the trailer HERE.
Pheletso, directed by Zack Mtombeni
Premiere: 7:30pm, Thursday, 13 March at Nu Metro Hyde Park
Stream on Showmax from 18 April
Mpho Sibeko (Blood & Water, Gauteng Maboneng) stars as KB, a charming, ambitious young man who seems to have it all – until one wild night lands him in hospital with almost no recollection of how he ended up there.
Kay Bikitsha (Nozuko in Gqeberha: The Empire) co-stars as Detective Grace, opposite the likes of Zazi Kunene (Generations: The Legacy), Sekoati Tsubane (Kabelo on 7de Laan) and SAFTA Best Actor nominee Nkosinathi Emanuel Gweva (Thina Sobabili, Vaya).
Watch the trailer HERE.
Perfect Match, directed by Mphomotseng Hoelejane
Premiere: 4pm, Saturday, 15 March at Nu Metro Hyde Park
Stream on Showmax from 12 April
Pressured by his father, Muzi Nyathi seeks to secure his future as CEO by hastily proposing to his girlfriend, Dudu. However, a comical mix-up caused by his merry uncles during lobola negotiations leads to the uptight Muzi ending up engaged to outspoken Anele instead…
Nay Maps (Mxolisi Xulu in Uzalo) stars as Muzi opposite Lungelo Madondo (Queendom, Blood Legacy, Uzalo) as Anele. Also look out for the likes of Sifiso Simamane (International Emmy nominee Reyka), Andy Mnguni (The Republic, eHostela), Nompilo Maphumulo (Uzalo, Generations: The Legacy), and Thobeka Shangase (Umjolo: The Gone Girl).
Watch the trailer HERE.
The nearly 300 submissions were whittled down by a panel made up of Showmax’s then executive head of content, Allan Sperling; Joburg Film Festival curator Nhlanhla Ndaba; MultiChoice content executives Jakki Anyanzwa, Sanele Shibe, Victor Aghahowa and Wikus du Toit; and award-winning independent filmmakers Femi Odugbemi for West Africa, Njoki Muhoho for East Africa and Pat van Heerden for South Africa. The jury was chaired by Cheryl Uys-Allie, the former Africa director for the MultiChoice Talent Factory film academies in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia.
To ease the transition into feature film directing, Showmax paired the debut film directors with experienced production companies. Multi-award winners Urban Brew produced four of the films: Kites, Ndingowakho, and Pheletso, as well as Bet I Love You in partnership with Elects Network & Synergy Limited. Perfect Match was produced by Durban Motion Pictures (the multi-award-winning film Valley of a Thousand Hills), while Adam is produced by Blended Films, who won four Silwerskerm awards last year for Hier.Na, and Bobo was produced by African Dopler Limited (County 49, Volume).
Catch all seven films at Joburg Film Festival from 11-16 March 2025 or stream them on Showmax, where they start releasing from 4 April.
Another film from the first-time director slate will have its premiere at Silwerskerm later this year.
Find out more about The Joburg Film Festival HERE.
