Joburg Film Festival Announces ‘The Golden Thread’ Theme for 2025 Edition

The Joburg Film Festival (JFF), in partnership with MultiChoice Group, has announced the theme for its seventh edition, taking place from March 11-16, 2025.

The festival, which continues to be one of South Africa’s premier cultural events, will focus on “‘The Golden Thread – Connected Through Stories’”. This theme highlights the universal power of storytelling, aiming to show how shared experiences connect people across cultures and backgrounds.

JFF’s founder, Tim Mangwedi, described the theme as a celebration of the unbreakable link between individuals, communities, and cultures that storytelling creates. “Through this year’s films, we’ll explore how stories, like threads, intertwine to create a bigger picture of the human experience,” he said. The festival’s tagline, “‘Our Stories. Our Gold’”, underscores this idea, drawing on Johannesburg’s identity as the “City of Gold,” where stories hold immense value.

The upcoming edition promises to be another exciting chapter for the festival, with over 60 films scheduled to be featured. From local gems like “Sebata”, a dark South African thriller directed by Norman Maake, to “Timmy the Kid”, a rural-urban comedy from director Gray Hofmeyr, the program will offer a diverse mix of African and international narratives. These films aim to showcase the power of connection through compelling stories that resonate beyond borders.

International highlights include “The Man Died”, a powerful adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s memoir, directed by Awam Amkpa. Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s civil war, this film tells the story of resistance and resilience.

Another notable entry is “To a Land Unknown”, a poignant tale about two Palestinian cousins struggling to escape their bleak environment, directed by Mahdi Fleifel. Meanwhile, “Under the Volcano” by Damian Kocur tells the story of a Ukrainian stranded in Spain during the onset of the Russian invasion. The festival will also feature “Ernest Cole: Lost and Found”, a documentary on the life of the legendary South African photographer, directed by Raoul Peck.

“Through ‘The Golden Thread,’ we highlight the richness of African storytelling and its ability to connect and inspire,” said Nomsa Philiso, CEO of General Entertainment at MultiChoice. “We’re proud to partner with JFF to showcase these stories and celebrate their power to transform and unite communities.”

In addition to the films, the Joburg Xchange (JBX) industry program will once again be a major feature of the festival. The JBX Market, which has grown significantly in recent years, will bring together filmmakers, producers, buyers, and investors to discuss opportunities in the film and television industries. Those interested in participating can register through the JFF website.

JBX Talks will also take center stage, with panels, masterclasses, and workshops designed to strengthen the global reach of African cinema. The event aims to position Johannesburg as a key hub for storytelling that resonates across the globe.

For emerging filmmakers, the newly introduced JBX Youth program will offer three days of workshops and mentorship, providing young talent with the tools to succeed in the industry. The Youth & Audience Development Programme, targeting filmmakers aged 18-35, will run alongside the festival and culminate in JBX Youth.

Another highlight of the festival is the return of the Young Voices Competition, which celebrates young South African filmmakers. This year’s theme, “‘The Power of Sports in Film,’” encourages submissions that explore the universal language of sports through cinema. The winning film will be announced at the Golden Thread Gala Awards in March 2025, and will be featured later at the JFF Film Society.

For more details on programming, tickets, and how to get involved, visit here or follow the festival on social media.