Fuelled by fire: Mbawula Youth Film Festival returns to ignite Kimberley

KIMBERLEY is set to ignite with youthful creativity, cultural energy, and powerful storytelling as the Mbawula Youth Film Festival (MYFF) returns for its fourth edition, running from August 6 to 9.

This free and inclusive event will transform venues across the city into dynamic stages for youth-made films, international documentaries, live performances, and thought-provoking masterclasses.

Hosted by the Awakening Creative Project in collaboration with the National Film and Video Foundation, this year’s festival celebrates “30 Years of South Africa Through Film”, reflecting on democracy, identity, and the power of cinema to drive change.

Designed to bridge the gap between education and entertainment, the MYFF uses the language of cinema to reflect, empower, and reimagine. It is rooted in the idea that stories matter, especially those told by young people from communities often left on the margins. 

Over the years, the festival has grown into one of the most exciting grassroots cultural initiatives in the Northern Cape, offering a platform for emerging filmmakers and building a sustainable space for youth expression and social dialogue.

This year’s event promises four days of diverse programming across multiple venues. While the Northern Cape Theatre serves as the central hub, events will also take place at the Bantu Community Hall in Galeshewe and the Aggrey Klaaste Library in Greenpoint — an intentional outreach strategy to ensure that film reaches the people where they are.

From the outset, Mbawula has been more than just a film festival. It is a storytelling initiative that gives emerging filmmakers the opportunity to learn, share, and showcase their talents. This year’s programme features a rich blend of national premieres, international documentaries, and locally produced short films that explore everything from family memory and heritage to youth mental health and township life.

The 2025 line-up includes the world premiere of Nina, a Northern Cape-made drama that debuts right here at home. Sam Nzima: Through His Lens pays tribute to the legendary photojournalist who captured the historic image of Hector Pieterson during the 1976 Soweto Uprising. In Black People Don’t Get Depressed, filmmakers tackle issues of mental health and identity with honesty and urgency. Other standout works include !AITSA, a powerful heritage film that resonates across borders, and Mother City, a Cape Town-based story of social justice and urban resistance.

But the heartbeat of this festival lies in its local youth content. Films such as Lehakwe, The Passage, My Winter Tears, 9MeMeZa, The Wind Under My Wings, and Umhlaba Wokhokho represent the raw, real and rising talent from the province. 

Accessibility and community

In keeping with the festival’s mission to educate and empower, the MYFF will also host two flagship youth masterclasses. On August 7, seasoned producer Nhlanhla Ndaba will guide participants through the entire producing process — from development and budgeting to crew coordination and distribution strategies. Then on August 8, acclaimed filmmaker and media entrepreneur Khanyi Magubane will lead a directing workshop that focuses on visual storytelling, shot composition, and on-set leadership. 

These sessions are targeted at young people aged 15 to 35 and are designed to provide hands-on experience, technical insight, and mentorship from working professionals.

What sets the MYFF apart is its commitment to accessibility and community. Entry to all screenings and events is free, with donations of clothes, toiletries and gifts welcomed during the festival’s charity drive. 

Pop-up screenings and outreach activities will bring cinema to public spaces, including libraries and community halls — making sure that stories reach beyond conventional theatre walls. The festival also features live dance performances, book launches, and panel discussions with artists, activists, and thinkers from across the country.

Festival director Tshepo Tlhalogang said the festival is built on trust — trust in the power of youth voices, and trust in storytelling as a force for change. “We’re here to ignite something real,” he said. “Mbawula is about more than film — it’s about letting our young people know that their stories are valid, their voices are powerful, and their future is bright.”

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, a lover of cinema, or simply curious about the narratives shaping the next generation, Mbawula Youth Film Festival 2025 offers something worth engaging with. It’s a chance to see the world through the eyes of others — and to connect through stories that matter.