Eastern Cape Film Expo
Interviews
By Rosa-Karoo Loewe
Stories rooted in the Eastern Cape took centre stage at the third Eastern Cape Film Expo at the Joza Township Youth Centre this week.
The expo opened with a talk by Kariega-born filmmaker Nceba Mqolomba, whose career has spanned television, stage and international productions. His producing credits include All You Need is Love, Khumbulekhaya, The Toasty Show, and music videos for artists such as Ringo Madlingozi, Kabelo Mabalane, Zonke and the late TK. He has also worked on international productions including The Last King of Scotland and The Amazing Race.
Speaking to aspiring creatives on Tuesday, Mqolomba shared insights from his journey into the industry and introduced his latest short film, Zania, which was screened later that day. “Eastern Cape filmmakers are producing all this incredible work, but there are few screening platforms,” Mqolomba said.
“This is why platforms such as the Eastern Cape Film Expo are critical to the development of the industry in the Eastern Cape. Institutions such as the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council (ECPACC), National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and platforms such as the National Arts Festival must continue to facilitate these opportunities, including funding and non-financial support programmes to stimulate the industry.”
Mqolomba’s current project, EC Skills 10, brought together 250 emerging filmmakers to produce 10 short films. Funded through the presidential employment stimulus by the NFVF and ECDC, the initiative employed 320 people in total.
“The expo is designed to give hands-on experience, skills transfer and market access to local filmmakers,” ECDC senior manager for investment promotion Vuyokazi Gwabeni said of the event which featured screenings, panel discussions, presentations and masterclasses for filmmakers, aspiring filmmakers, funders and policymakers.”
Mdantsane director Sithembile Xaso also screened his documentary, Pound for Pound, which follows the story of Knuckle Day, a community boxing tournament that launched the career of Asemahle Sotwili, now a law student and undefeated African champion.
“The boxing tournament has produced rising stars such as Mdantsane’s Sotwili who became the African champion at the age of 12, the same year she joined Knuckle Day. In its 19th season, the Knuckle Day tournament travelled the journey with her from primary school making sure she stays in school. She’s now a law student at the University of Fort Hare and she remains an undisputed South African and African champion. She has a perfect winning record having never lost a match since the age of 12. I started following her career since she started boxing.
“I felt it important to tell this story of the working class founders of Knuckle Day whose work has had an immense impact on the lives of the many young children who participate in the tournament.”
Also on the screening schedule was Ilifa Lomboko, a documentary about veteran Xhosa radio broadcaster Sganeko Njokweni, told through the lens of his son, Gqabi. The film traces Njokweni’s life as a mentor, musician, broadcaster and father, unpacking the role of language and the microphone as tools for storytelling and resistance.
