Lecturer’s first film featured at Joburg Film Festival
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
by Gerrit Bester
Ngwato, a feature film directed and produced by Tumisho Mahlase, a lecturer in Motion Picture Production at TUT, will premiere at the Joburg Film Festival on Friday, 6 March.
Without giving too much away, Ngwato, centred on identity, follows a father–son relationship.
The story unfolds when the main character, Ngwato (portrayed by alumnus and part-time lecturer, Gifter Ngobebi), contemplates telling his father that his fiancé proposed and wants to marry him, and things take a turn for the worse. His father has just been asked to become the chief’s advisor and the community begins questioning how he could offer sound advice when he cannot even guide his son properly.
Mahlase, who lectures Cinematography and Producing in the Faculty of Arts and Design’s Department of Visual Communication, says the father–son dynamic as a narrative is close to his heart, having grown up without a father himself.
Personally, he favours films that provoke questions rather than mere entertainment. “I’m so excited and I hope the intended message comes across,” says Mahlase.
The film is made possible through a financial grant from the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF). It was filmed in Matibidi, Mpumalanga.
Ngwato is primarily in Sepedi, with English subtitles.
Mahlase grew up in Siyabuswa, KwaMhlanga, and studied Motion Picture Production up to Master’s level at TUT. He is currently enrolled in a doctorate at the University of the Witwatersrand, focusing on the inclusivity of plus-size women in romantic comedies.
He notes that screening the film at the festival not only provides valuable feedback but also opens the possibility of securing a distributor.
The Joburg Film Festival is more than a cinematic showcase; it’s a celebration of African narratives that resonate worldwide.
This year’s theme is Feel the Frame.
To watch a trailer for Ngwato, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB0aCaVIa6Y
