Joburg Film Festival Concludes with Awards Gala, Recognizing African and Global Talent

The Joburg Film Festival, hosted by MultiChoice, has wrapped up its seventh edition with an awards gala at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

The festival, which showcased a mix of local and international films, also featured industry-focused events, including JBX Talks and JBX Youth programs.

The Best Short Film award went to “Why the Cattle Wait,” directed by Phumi Morare, an African folklore tale exploring themes of love and longing. The Best Feature Film award was given to “Blind Love”, directed by Julian Chou, a coming-of-age story about family secrets and self-discovery.

Other winners include:

• Best Documentary: “Ernest Cole: Lost and Found “(Raoul Peck)
• Best African Feature Film: “HAPPY: The Real Happy Sindane Story” (Vusi Africa)
• Best Edit: “Sugar Land “ (Johanne Gomez Terrero)
• Jury Special Mention: “The Shadow Scholar” (Eloise King)
• Young Voices Award: “CheckMate”, a youth-driven film project

A Special Recipient Award was presented to Mfundi Vundla, creator of “Generations”, in recognition of his contributions to South African television and cinema.

The festival, which screened films across Hyde Park, Nelson Mandela Square, BlackBrick, and the Bioscope at 44 Stanley, will conclude with the South African comedy Timmy The Kid, directed by Gray and Ziggy Hofmeyr, at Theatre on the Square.