Rising Stars: 7 debut films hit Joburg Film Festival and Showmax

by Staff Bona
Back in 2023, Showmax and the Joburg Film Festival put out a call for films from first-time directors in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. Fast forward two years and 296 submissions later, and now we have seven films set to premiere at the Joburg Film Festival from 11 to 16 March 2025, before hitting Showmax in April.
“Showmax is all about supporting fresh talent and new perspectives,” says Tracy Ann van Rooyen, the new executive head of content at Showmax.
“We’re excited to highlight a new wave of filmmakers, following the success of directors like Mandla N and Kelsey Egan.”

IN COMPETITION

Adam, directed by Liyema Speelman

  • Premiere: 2:15 pm, Sunday, 16 March at Nu Metro Hyde Park
  • Stream on Showmax from: 4 April
  • Plot: Adam, a rebellious teen at a strict farm school, butts heads with his teacher. Starring Marko Vorster, Dirk Stoltz, and Antoinette Louw. Based on Liyema Speelman’s high school days.
  • Watch the trailer

Kites, directed by Menzi Mzimela

  • Premiere: 12 noon, Tuesday, 11 March at Theatre on the Square
  • Stream on Showmax from: 25 April
  • Plot: Sihle’s driving his DJ friends around Joburg for an audition, but things go sideways, and they end up with a dead body to deal with. Craig Nobela stars as Sihle, with Aphiwe Mkefe and Marcus Molemane.
  • Watch the trailer

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

Bet I Love You, directed by Joseph Duke (Nigeria)

  • Premiere: 7 pm, Wednesday, 12 March at Nu Metro Hyde Park
  • Stream on Showmax from: 23 May
  • Plot: Rex, a compulsive gambler, loses the lobola money for his sister’s wedding and scrambles to fix the mess before the family finds out. Khumbuza Meyiwa stars as Rex.
  • Watch the trailer

Bobo, directed by Maurice Muendo (Kenya)

    • Premiere: 3 pm, Friday, 14 March at The Forge
    • Stream on Showmax from: 23 May
    • Plot: Bobo, played by Faith Muthoni, struggles to secure a bursary while her family risks losing their land.
  • Watch the trailer

     

Ndingowakho, directed by Siphokazi Mtila

  • Premiere: 7 pm, Friday, 14 March at Nu Metro Hyde Park
  • Stream on Showmax from: 11 April
  • Plot: Thandi, played by Pamela Mabedumane, moves back to the township to live with her estranged mother.
  • Watch the trailer
 

Pheletso, directed by Zack Mtombeni

  • Premiere: 7:30 pm, Thursday, 13 March at Nu Metro Hyde Park
  • Stream on Showmax from: 18 April
  • Plot: Mpho Sibeko plays KB, a guy who ends up in the hospital with no memory of the wild night that landed him there.
  • Watch the trailer

Perfect Match, directed by Mphomotseng Hoelejane

  • Premiere: 4 pm, Saturday, 15 March at Nu Metro Hyde Park
  • Stream on Showmax from: 12 April
  • Plot: Muzi, under pressure from his father to propose, accidentally gets engaged to the wrong woman. Nay Maps stars.
  • Watch the trailer

Words: Fame Frenzy