Young, Gifted and Queer on Showmax
9 October 2025

Young, Gifted & Queer (2025)

“As Black and queer people, we have this gift of just being cool, of knowing what’s hot, of knowing what’s gonna pop, and we’ve always done this,” says kwaai diva Umlilo in the trailer for Young, Gifted & Queer.

Umlilo is one of three trailblazers featured in the documentary, alongside Andiswa Dlamini, founder of Other Village People, and rapper S’bo Gyre. Also look out for queer icons like Dr Bev Ditsie, LeloWhatsGood, Keval Harie, Sibs Matiyela and Lulu Obida.

Described as “a powerful and unapologetic documentary celebrating Black queer voices at the forefront of Mzansi’s cultural revolution” by Joburg Film Festival, Young, Gifted & Queer is the second documentary from Renaldo Schwarp, who was also behind the award-winning Skeef. 

Young, Gifted & Queer was up for the 2025 Inclusive Lens Award for Representation of LGBTQIA+: Non-Scripted Films. “Young, Gifted & Queer is recognised for its authentic and unapologetic portrayal of Black queer artists in South Africa,” said that citation. “By centring real voices over performative allyship, the film highlights resilience, creativity, and cultural impact – offering a bold, honest narrative that advances meaningful representation and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community in African media.”

Share:

More like this

Billy Joel: And So It Goes is on Showmax

Billy Joel: And So It Goes (2025)

An honest, insightful, and deeply moving look at the life and career of acclaimed musician Billy Joel, covering both his struggles and triumphs.

First
Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay on Showmax

Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay S1

Former RHOSLC cast member Heather Gay investigates hidden truths within the Mormon church, exposing cracks in its perfect facade.

First
Wizkid Long Love Lagos on Showmax

Wizkid: Long Live Lagos (2025)

This intimate and uplifting documentary explores Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Wizkid's rise to superstardom as one of the biggest Afrobeats artists.

FirstMade in Nigeria
Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy on Showmax

Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy (2025)

This sensational documentary delves into the rise and fall of Diddy, offering insight into his childhood, his meteoric rise, and his arrest.

First
High Horse: The Black Cowboy is on Showmax

High Horse: The Black Cowboy S1

Jordan Peele creates this vibrant, eye-opening three-part pop culture and historical documentary. It confronts and reclaims the Wild West while revealing the untold history of the Black cowboy.

You Were My First Boyfriend is on Showmax

You Were My First Boyfriend (2023)

In this introspective high school reunion movie turned inside out, filmmaker Cecilia Aldarondo relives her tortured adolescence.

Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God

Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God S1

This HBO docuseries explores the rise and fall of cult leader Amy Carlson, aka Mother God. As her health declined, followers awaited UFO salvation.

Stand Up and Shout: Songs from a Philly High School is on Showmax

Stand Up & Shout: Songs from a Philly High School (2023)

This heartfelt documentary follows a unique music programme at Hill-Freedman World Academy, which teaches students to create original songs.

Iyanu: The Age of Wonders, coming soon

BBNaija S10 on Showmax