![SA film students break into video-on-demand business](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2019/02/O-Puncha-is-on-Showmax-1240x527.jpg)
18 February 2019
SA film students break into video-on-demand business
Thanks to the growing popularity of video-on-demand services, there’s a new opportunity to help kickstart the careers of local filmmakers.
Numerous Hollywood blockbusters (District 9, Tomb Raider 2018, and The Avengers: Age of Ultron to name a few) have featured substantial shoots in Johannesburg and Cape Town. While providing great opportunities for SA’s production talent, aspiring writers and directors don’t get the same benefit.
So where can local creatives showcase their work? Broadcast TV isn’t a natural home for unknown short films, and while self-publishing platforms are readily available hosting options, it’s tough to get noticed and get traffic when competing with videos from across the planet.
But with the emergence of video-on-demand services into the mainstream, there’s now a solution. The African film school AFDA has teamed up with the streaming service Showmax to give local talent a much larger platform than ever before.
From 18 February, 18 of the best recent short films made by AFDA students from their Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth campuses will be live on Showmax. Drama, documentary, fantasy, and animation are all represented, in pieces running from under eight minutes to almost half-an-hour long. The full list of movies is included below.
Teresa Passchier, CEO of AFDA, said:
“AFDA, Africa’s number-one school for the Creative Economy, is proud to kickstart this exciting and meaningful journey with Showmax and AFDA students, ensuring emerging young African filmmakers’ voices are heard and given a platform. It’s groundbreaking to share young, local, culturally relevant content on the same platform as Hollywood blockbusters. I am certain that this unique initiative will serve to boost and develop the African film industry and the careers of many young South African and African students alike.”
Included in the short films coming to Showmax are the award winners Junior and O-Puncha. Junior, directed by Bert Dijkstra, picked up the Audience Award in the Made in South Africa Competition at the shnit Worldwide Shortfilmfestival Awards 2017. O-Puncha, directed by Adam Hansen, won two awards at the 5th annual Eldorado Film Festival: Best Student Made Short, and Best Editing – Alexander La Cock.
Another celebrated film is Sicela Amanzi directed by Mlu Godola, which talks to the subject of water shortage. The film’s heroine Zoleka is a mild-mannered young woman forced to go to extreme lengths when a small community’s only source of water unexpectedly collapses. The power of films like this is they shine a light on critical topical issues in new ways.
Speaking about working with the film school, Candice Fangueiro, Head of Content for Showmax, said:
“There’s immense depth of filmmaking talent in Africa and it’s a privilege to be able to give that talent a home and a platform. Showmax is becoming part of the fabric of film and TV production in Africa, and importantly we’re doing this as a partner rather than just as a consumer. This is a key competitive advantage of being local and something we aim to continue to work on.”
AFDA is an Academy Award-winning institution, founded in 1994, and the first and only African film school to win an Oscar – for the Best Foreign Student film in 2006, the postgraduate film Elalini, directed by Tristan Holmes.
The full list of AFDA short films coming to Showmax
- Lullaby from the Crypt: animation (directed by Keenan Lott and Raven Davids)
- Ko Ga Cherenyane: documentary (directed by Sibonokuhle Myataza)
- Izilwane: drama (directed by Kyllian Roux)
- Mallemeule: drama (directed by Jaco Van Bosch)
- Canal Street: drama (directed by Brodie Muirhead)
- On the Fence: drama (directed by Warrick Bews)
- The Righteous Few: drama (directed by Lindo Langa)
- Hlogoma Peak: drama (directed by Luke Ahrens)
- Frozen Flame: animation (directed by Cameron Heathman)
- Wolf: fantasy (directed by Brett van Dort)
- The Walk Home: drama (directed by Sisanda Dyantyi)
- Bear: drama (directed by Wesley Roodt)
- Junior: drama (directed by Bert Dijkstra)
- O-Puncha: drama (directed by Adam Hansen)
- Umngeno: drama (directed by Siphosethu Ndunge)
- Doreen: drama (directed by Luvuyo Equiano Nyawose)
- Forever: musical (directed by Lindo Langa)
- Sicela Amanzi: drama (directed by Mlu Godola)
Original African stories by local talent
![Die Ondernemers on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FDie-Ondernemers-2024-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Die Ondernemers
Die Ondernemers follows three entrepreneurs in the funeral business. Stream from 5 August, with new episodes every Monday on Showmax.
![Dark Side of Glory on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FDark_Side_Of_Glory_S1_2024-798x445.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Dark Side of Glory
Dark Side of Glory tells the stories behind shocking cases of murder and unexplained deaths in the world of sport. Stream from 31 July 2024.
![One Weeks S1 on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FOne_Weeks_S1_2024-1-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
One Weeks
One Weeks follows Fana, a charming high-school dropout from Soweto, who can’t believe his luck when he finds himself dating successful lawyer Lihle. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday.
![The Mommy Club Sugar & Spice on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2F1920x1080-CLEAN-798x449.png&w=3840&q=75)
The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice
The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice is a brand-new Showmax Original reality series, following affluent moms in Durban’s Indian community. Watch from 8 August 2024.
![Beaulah Queens van die Kaap on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2F1920X1080-2-795x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap
Meet Cape Town’s most charismatic drag queens in this eye-opening reality series. Now streaming, with new episodes every Thursday.
![016FM S1 is on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F06%2F016FM-S1-2024-798x449.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
016FM
016FM follows rival DJs at a beloved Vaal radio station threatened with closure, starring the late Mpho Sebeng, and Joseph Sedibo. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
![Jiji is on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F06%2FJiji_S01_2024-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Jiji
Jiji follows the lives of four girls in the streets of Jericho, forced into a life of crime to make ends meet. Stream now, with new episodes on Mondays and Tuesdays.
![Born Into Fame is on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F06%2FBorn-Into-Fame-Cast-798x449.png&w=3840&q=75)
Born Into Fame
Born Into Fame follows six South Africans with famous parents, as they try to live up to their family legacies while discovering their own unique paths to success. Stream now, with new episodes every Tuesday.
Die Ondernemers, coming soon
The Mommy Club Sugar & Spice: Meet the moms
More Mzansi gold
![Empini S1 on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FEmpini-S1_Ndoni-796x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Empini Season 1 Episodes 19-20 recap: Shocking revelations and hidden agendas
In episodes 19-20 of Empini, Ndoni finally confides in her mother and the future of MPS’s leadership is in question as Khaya’s will is read. New episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
![Manila von Teez in Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FBeaulah-Queens-van-die-Kaap_Manila-1-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap Season 1 Episode 2 recap: Putting on a show
Ina and Madison go skating, the queens discuss how they came out as drag artists, and Manila puts on an epic show in Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap Season 1, episode 2.
![Shamiso in Born Into Fame S1](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FBorn-Into-Fame-S1_2024-798x449.png&w=3840&q=75)
Born into Fame S1: Shamiso confronts sincerity doubts and sets boundaries
In episode 6 of Born Into Fame S1, Shamiso confronts sincerity and sets her boundaries with Robbie. New episodes every Wednesday on Showmax.
![Die Ondernemers on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FDie-Ondernemers-2024-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Must-watch trailer: Showmax reality series Die Ondernemers
See the trailer for Die Ondernemers, a Showmax reality series featuring three South African undertakers, premiering 5 August 2024.