Showmax, in partnership with the Joburg Film Festival, will showcase seven films from first-time directors at this year’s festival, marking a milestone for fresh voices in African cinema. These films will premiere from 11-16 March 2025 and will be available to stream on Showmax starting in April.
Tracy Ann van Rooyen, Showmax’s executive head of content, shared the platform’s commitment to nurturing new talent: “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.”
Here’s a glimpse at the exciting films premiering at the festival:
• Adam (Directed by Liyema Speelman): This film follows a teenager, Adam, who has a turbulent relationship with his idealistic teacher at a military-style farm school. It stars Marko Vorster and Inge Beckmann. Premiere: 16 March, 2:15 pm at Nu Metro Hyde Park. Stream on Showmax from 4 April.
• Kites (Directed by Menzi Mzimela): A young man, Sihle, is roped into driving his DJ friends to an audition, only to end up dealing with a dead body. Craig Nobela and Aphiwe Mkefe star. Premiere: 11 March, 12 pm at Theatre on the Square. Stream on Showmax from 25 April.
• Bet I Love You (Directed by Joseph Duke): Rex, a compulsive gambler, risks his family’s future when he loses his sister’s lobola money. Khumbuza Meyiwa and Nosipho Majola star. Premiere: 12 March, 7 pm at Nu Metro Hyde Park. Stream on Showmax from 23 May.
• Pheletso (Directed by Zack Mtombeni): A young man’s life takes a turn after a night of reckless behavior leaves him hospitalized with no memory of the events. Mpho Sibeko and Kay Bikitsha star. Premiere: 13 March, 7:30 pm at Nu Metro Hyde Park. Stream on Showmax from 18 April.
• Perfect Match (Directed by Mphomotseng Hoelejane): A man proposes to the wrong woman due to a mix-up during lobola negotiations. Nay Maps and Lungelo Madondo star. Premiere: 15 March, 4 pm at Nu Metro Hyde Park. Stream on Showmax from 12 April.
The festival also highlights the collaboration between debut directors and experienced production companies like Urban Brew, Elects Network, Synergy Limited, Durban Motion Pictures, and Blended Films to ease the transition into feature filmmaking.
Catch these debut films at the Joburg Film Festival from 11-16 March 2025, or stream them on Showmax starting in April.
