What it Takes

Production by Lameez Khumalo, Christian Stroud & Nokwanda Dlamini

What does it take to have your name in lights, and countless fans screaming your name? What does it take to turn a passion for music into a dynasty? The music industry is cut-throat and the difficulties that independent artists face are unforgiving. What it Takes follows New Age Steeze, a group of independent artists who have dedicated their lives to their craft. When New Age Steeze members Richlifeking, Alfa Kat Laygo and Jillz are given the opportunity to be opening acts for a legendary South African hip hop artist, their struggles came to light and their dedication was put to the test.

WHAT IS BLACK

Production by Hannah Chibayambuya, Zama Luthuli and Sandisiwe Magadla

Coconut? Cheeseboy? Oreo? Certain types of black people have had these terms used on them. Three filmmakers head on a quest to find out what is black and who defines blackness. What is Black explores the complicated relationship three characters who grew up in white spaces have with their blackness and coming to terms with their black identity.

Lomhlaba Ungowethu! – This is our land!

Production by Nontokozo Mchunu, Tswelopele Maputla & Zandile Hlabangane

We explore a successful black-owned farm in Kwazulu Natal.
The community project operates under the Eyethu Trust after land was redistributed to the people of eMabomvini near Kranskop. The farmers talk of their history, their sugar cane and timber production and the real issues of land expropriation without compensation.

With land expropriation without compensation and the questions around sustainability this documentary is an provocative example of a successfully black-owned community farm that might answer some questions.

Ezakithi namasiko – Our values and the things that belong to us

Production by Thingo Mthombeni & Catharina Andersen

Young South Africans navigate a predominantly Western world that does not give much room for traditional African practices. We follow Thingo Mthombeni’s spiritual journey. In this film we see how she tries to discover who she is as young black woman in a predominantly colonised society. Thingo immerses herself in various spaces looking to see how she can reconcile her African and Western identity where the personal is political, and the spiritual is also political. Will she be brave enough to embrace and understand both, or will she accept the story that African practices are ‘demonic, inferior and savage’

The Eden

Production by Collette Prince & Tess Miles

Collette Prince and Tess Miles attempt to confront a right wing Afrikaans group who are creating a whites only enclave called, Die Eden Projek. Leader Jaqui Gradwell started his project at Willowmore in the Eastern Cape. Grappling their fears of racism, and physical danger, Collette and Tess find unexpected truths about the leader and the project and the irony of living in a democratic South Africa where racism continues to thrive.
In the end, Collette and Tess don’t fulfill their intended mission to confront this group, but instead are left with more questions then they started with. The Eden exposes the rhetoric of manipulating people with their fears to get what you want in democratic South Africa.

Money from the Sea

Production by Abner Accom & Daniel Tucker

We embark with chokka (squid) fishermen from Port Elizabeth on their first fishing trip of the winter 2017 fishing season. Faced with serious environmental pressures and only working on commission they each have to catch enough of the elusive squid on this trip to support their families for the off-season. Each trip is a competitive gamble for their livelihoods. We meet Abel Goliath and Vakele Jams Maxwele and the crew of the Jamie Jay as they head out to sea with big hopes for the trip to encounter all kinds of trials and challenges.