Mzansi Bioskop's putting the spotlight on young filmmakers from this Sunday (7 January) with a weekly festival of movies at 19h00 - one a week until the end of March.
The timeslot's titled the Young Bloods Movie Festival and features fliks by up-and-coming production houses, directors and cast.
There are 13 in total, with details below.
The one that grabs our interest most: Sbwl-Gram on 31 March, about the real-life effects of living in the "aspirational" world of social media while missing out on real life.
It's great to see movie and TV makers tackling this under explored issue! Very Black Mirror.
Settle into your home cinema with this programme:
JANUARY 2024
Madumane
Production house: Leburugraphy
On: Sunday 7 January 2024
Three co-dependent high school matriculants are forced to deal with separation anxiety after they devise a plan to get their mixtape to a popular Amapiano DJ who’s making an appearance at their rival school matric dance after party.
Ziyawa
Production house: Omen the Chef
On: Sunday 14 January 2024
Max and Tshepo are two of the biggest party-throwers on campus, and they are constantly trying to outdo each other. Tshepo has a reputation for throwing the most legendary house parties, and Max is determined to beat him at his own game.
Pakiso High
Production house: Kerry Productions
On: Sunday 21 January 2024
A class of Grade 10 learners go on a school trip for a summer camp as part of their curriculum where an unlikely friendship brews into a young teenage romance between the group’s top student (Kgomotso) and the school’s most problematic bully (Motlatso).
It is through the activities at camp that Kgomotso and the rest of the group realize that the boy they thought was just a bully comes from an adverse background where he is heading his younger siblings and his forever drunk mom.
Pens Down
Production house: Lihle Pictures
On: Sunday 28 January 2024
It's year-end and two students of Nkwenkwezi High School decide to attend an epic Pens Down party where one of them hopes to kiss the girl of his dreams.
FEBRUARY 2024
Jolang
Production house: Grandja
On: Sunday 4 February 2024
Two Pretorian GenZ interns bunk the first day of work to embark on a journey of self-discovery and the true meaning of love, or not.
Shela Ndoda
Production house: Ngomoya Films
On: Sunday 11 February 2024
A Precolonial love story about a boy who has come of age but is afraid to pursue a love interest. Realizing he is a laughing stock in the village, he uses a charm to protect his integrity.
Ba Strata
Production house: Kerry Productions
On: Sunday 18 February 2024
A 15-year-old street kid (Mohapi) in Johannesburg CBD is inspired by a successful and well-known businessman only to have several encounters with his daughter, which leads them to form an unexpected connection with each other.
Yivale Mfana
Production house: Three Warlocks & A Gun
On: Sunday 25 February 2024
All round good boy & academic overachiever Themba suddenly feels like he's missed out on all the fun and special moments of high school.
Fueled by his new epiphany, Themba attempts to reclaim lost moments by boldly aiming to kiss the class's hottest girl before the matric dance is over, triggering a chaotic adventure for the dork and his two
friends.
MARCH 2024
Lakhe’s Matric
Production house: Zethu’s Tales
On: Sunday 3 March 2024
To escape her strict mother and attend boarding school, a mischievous and arrogant Lakhe gets hired to attain matric for a rich girl!
Sunday School
Production house: Outre Studios
On: Sunday 10 March 2024
The film introduces us to Slim, a bright university student in his final year, who aspires to one day become the energy minister and end power outages in SA.
He learns that he's been chosen for a life-changing overseas program, but financial constraints threaten his dream.
Slim's only income source is writing exams and assignments for fellow students. His life takes a complete turn when he is exposed and suspended from campus, forcing him to go home while he waits for his disciplinary hearing.
As Slim awaits the verdict at home, his disappointed father forces him to attend church. While initially uninterested in religion, Slim attends, not wanting to disobey his father. Inside the church, he discovers the significant amount of money collected from tithings.
It’s also here where he meets Bongi, a charming young woman who happens to be the pastor’s daughter.
Umcelo
Production house: Kusa Films
On: Sunday 17 March 2024
Desperate to impress his crush, Sabelo borrows a beat down car to take his love interest to a matric dance. Things take a wrong turn when the car breaks down near a squatter camp.
Ma 2000
Production house: Vintage Pictures
On: Sunday 24 March 2024
A former troublemaker pursuing a career as a teacher gets a class full of unruly learners during her practical at the school where she used to being the queen of trouble. What a bad career move!
Sbwl-Gram
Production house: Ngomoya Productions
On: Sunday 31 March 2024
Aspiring influencer Ndoni finds herself physically living in the social media (SBWL-gram) world and struggling to keep up with its expectations.
When it all ends, she realizes she has missed out on reality while she was stuck in her SBWL-gram account, trying to be verified.
Mzansi Bioskop is on DStv channel 164.