The 13th kykNET Silwerskermfees is set to light up Camps Bay once again from Wednesday to Saturday, 20 to 23 August, with screenings and events taking place at the Bay Hotel and Theatre on the Bay. This beloved festival (Silwerskerm) has become a cornerstone of South African cinema, celebrating local storytelling and creative excellence. “The Silwerskermfees brings thinkers, doers, creators and dreamers together across generations and from all provinces in the name of film,” says Waldimar Pelser, festival director.
Waldimar, Director of M-Net’s Premium Channels, describes the 13th Silwerskermfees as a celebration of a truly magical art form. “For this medium to thrive, a vast array of skills must be blended to ignite the imagination of audiences. People want to be moved when they watch films,” he says. “We all long, at times, for escape, reflection – or even catharsis.”
For more than a decade, this popular festival has been regarded as one of the most respected development platforms in the local film industry. KykNET has been building on this foundation since its inception.
“Every year, the Silwerskermfees manages to outdo itself,” says Waldimar. Film lovers can gear up to experience the best in local film production. “The diversity of what’s being created in Afrikaans is dizzying and deeply inspiring. It gives kykNET even more reason to continue investing significantly in Afrikaans films.”
For emerging voices in the industry, the festival is a sought-after platform to learn and grow. It’s an memorable experience for everyone involved, Waldimar explains. “It not only showcases the talents of our established and celebrated filmmakers, but also gives tomorrow’s stars a chance to shine.” A range of masterclasses, workshops and panel discussions during the festival will equip a new generation of filmmakers with knowledge and practical skills.
At Silwerskerm, seasoned industry professionals will unpack topics such as the art of documentary filmmaking, the future of the feature film, behind-the-scenes production on reality TV, evolving audience behaviour, and more. The 13th kykNET Silwerskermfees features a selection of 21 short films – including documentaries, independent films and shorts by both seasoned and up-and-coming directors. Six feature films will also debut at the festival, five of which are a first for the directors. In 2025, seven documentaries will be screened, up from five last year.
A wide range of topics are covered – from the Marikana massacre and the dawn of democracy in 1994, to the tragic drowning of a well-known Springbok rugby player’s infant son. This last documentary was first pitched at the festival’s Silwermark project last year. The Silwermark once again offers filmmakers the opportunity to pitch original concepts in various Afrikaans content categories directly to kykNET and Showmax during the festival.
Waldimar describes many of the festival films as stories of transformation. “Several explore the inner changes people undergo when facing great challenges. Sometimes it’s history that confronts them, sometimes it’s deeply personal setbacks, or even life-altering insights. “Viewers can look forward to meeting the Temple Boys, a music group from Ravensmead; witnessing the redemptive journey of a gang member nicknamed Jan Bloed; and stepping into
the rough-and-tumble world of a wrestling club in Bothaville.
The feature films in the 2025 programme are Hen, My f*k, Marelize!, Khaki Fever, Finding Optel, Carissa, and The Heart is a Muscle.
The glamorous Silwerskerm Awards for Film and TV, celebrating both the festival’s top films and excellence in television, will take place on Saturday 23 August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). This event honours the standout film and television talent from the past year (April 2024 to March 2025) with the prestigious Silwerskerm statuettes. Winners in the remaining film categories – including awards for technical achievement – will be announced earlier on the morning of 23 August at a ceremony at The Bay Hotel. The blue carpet will be rolled out in grand style, and the public is warmly invited to attend the festival. Tickets will be available from 11 July 2025 via Quicket. Those unable to attend the awards ceremony in person can catch the kykNET Silwerskerm Awards broadcast on Sunday 24 August at 19:00 on kykNET (DStv Channel 144).
The kykNET Silwerskermfees is made possible by the support of Openserve, the City of Cape Town, the Dagbreek Trust, Village ’n Life and the National Film and Video Foundation.
Additional comments from Waldimar Pelser about the 13th kykNET Silwerskerm Film Festival
Is there room for independent filmmakers, as kykNET committed to last year?
Yes, two outstanding independent features will have their African premiere at the kykNET Silwerskermfees. The first, Carissa by Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar, made its international debut at the 2024 Venice Film Festival. This poetic film set in Wupperthal in the Cederberg will be screened for the first time on African soil this August in Camps Bay. The Heart is a Muscle, a debut by Imran Hamdulay, premiered in February at the Berlinale in Germany, and we’re proud to give this poignant story about a father’s fight to protect his son from his own inner demons, its South African premiere. There is also four independent short films that will show at the festival with one being Oscar-nominated.
Tell us more about the three directorial debuts among the four feature films at the festival.
Nico Scheepers, known for Nêrens, Noord-Kaap, makes his feature debut with Hen, a psychological horror that will leave you sleepless. Zandré Coetzer directs the unexpectedly moving My f*k, Marelize!, starring Binnelanders actor Je-ani Swiegelaar, among others. Mikayla and Jesse Brown make their Showmax debut with Finding Optel.
Is entertainment the only purpose a film should serve?
While entertainment is certainly key, this year’s short films also enlighten, challenge, and offer audiences a glimpse into the voices and visions of tomorrow’s filmmakers.
Official quote from Marna Wilden, Openserve Chief Regional Officer – South Africa:
“As Openserve, we believe that true connection goes beyond infrastructure – it’s about enabling people, stories, and culture to thrive. Our continued sponsorship of the Silwerskerm Festival reflects our commitment to connecting South Africans not just through fibre and technology, but through creativity, storytelling, and shared experiences. We’re proud to support platforms that celebrate local talent and inspire a more inclusive, digitally connected future.”
Official quote from Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor of Cape Town:
“With only two months to go until Cape Town’s premier film festival returns to Camps Bay, the excitement and anticipation are building. The Silwerskermfees has, over the past 13 years, become such a big part of our city’s film and TV production success – not only thanks to the outstanding quality of the short films and documentaries screened at the festival, but also for the big investment made in a new generation of filmmakers through masterclasses and workshops. It really is a wonderful highlight on the Cape Town arts and entertainment calendar, and I cannot wait for the festival to kick off on 20 August.”
