The Joburg Film Festival (JFF) in partnership with the MultiChoice Group announced the theme for the highly anticipated seventh edition of the festival – ‘The Golden Thread – Connected Through Stories’. Set to take place from 11 – 16 March 2025, the festival will explore the profound interconnectedness of our shared human experiences and the timeless value of storytelling.
Guided by the festival’s tagline, ‘Our Stories. Our Gold’, JFF continues to embrace Joburg’s identity as the “City of Gold”, with stories serving as the most precious treasures that illuminate our lives and reflect the collective wisdom of our diverse global communities.
Audiences are invited to explore the essence of connection as we celebrate ‘The Golden Thread’—an elegant reminder of the ties that bind us all, a recurring symbol that represents universal themes, emotions and truths found within the world’s most compelling stories.
“We are pleased to present ‘The Golden Thread’ as our theme for the next edition of the festival,” says JFF Founder Tim Mangwedi. “It represents the unbreakable link that storytelling forms between individuals, communities and cultures. Through our carefully curated selection of films, we aim to show how stories, much like threads, interlace to create a larger tapestry of shared human experience. This is a celebration of connectivity, of learning from one another, and of recognising the meaningful impact our stories can have on the world.”
The seventh edition will once again bring together filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences from across the globe to share their experiences and forge connections through the universal language of cinema. JFF remains committed to promoting diversity, inclusivity and the celebration of universal human stories.
The festival will feature over 60 local, African and international curated titles, including fiction and documentary feature-length films and shorts), with several notable world premieres already confirmed. A snippet of what’s in store for film, art and culture lovers.
Starting here at home with Sebata, a gripping dark South African detective thriller directed by Norman Maake and Timmy the Kid, a rural-urban comedy from director Gray Hofmeyr, that boasts a star-studded local cast.
The Man Died is a powerful adaptation of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s harrowing prison memoir directed by Awam Amkpa. Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s civil war, the feature narrates a tale of resistance, courage and the indomitable human spirit.
Directed by Lebanese national Mahdi Fleifel, To a Land Unknown follows two Palestinian cousin friends as they strive to escape their desolate environment before it’s too late and is shot across five countries.
Under the Volcano, directed by multi award-winning author Damian Kocur, depicts the story of a Ukrainian stranded in Tenerife, Spain, after a vacation, as they learn of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Haitian born, Paris based director Rauol Peck, chronicles the life of Enerst Cole’s journey as the first black freelance photographer in apartheid SA.
Ernest Cole: Lost and Found illustrates Cole’s career, peerless artistry, political strength and a moving end.
“The seventh edition will once again bring together filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences from across the globe to share their experiences and forge connections through the universal language of cinema. JFF remains committed to promoting diversity, inclusivity, and the celebration of universal human stories. The Joburg Film Festival is a celebration of the stories that bring us together, reflecting our shared humanity and the unique perspectives that make us who we are. At MultiChoice, we are proud to partner with the festival to spotlight the richness of African storytelling, highlighting its power to connect, inspire, and transform. Through ‘The Golden Thread – Connected Through Stories,’ we embrace the idea that stories are our greatest treasures, weaving communities and cultures together with purpose and passion” says Nomsa Philiso, CEO of General Entertainment, MultiChoice.
