The Joburg Film Festival is back for its sixth edition, with 60 films and documentaries from over 30 countries set to be screened.
A documentary telling the story of iconic South African photographer Sam Nzima will be part of a number of documentaries and films to be screened at the upcoming Joburg Film Festival.
with title life through his lensthe 90-minute doc pays tribute to Nzima as he looks back at his captivating photographs.
It was through Nzima's lens that the iconic photograph of dying 13-year-old Hector Peterson was captured on June 16, 1976.
“I rushed there with my camera and saw another young man coming to pick him up and as soon as he picked him up I started taking pictures,” Nzima said in 2010. He said this in an interview with the BBC.
“This photo was taken under a hail of bullets, so it was very dangerous.”
Nzima's legacy
The photojournalist passed away in 2018, and two years later Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) awarded him an honorary doctorate.
His family had announced that the Sam Nzima Legacy Center would be built in his honor.
TUT Campus and the Sam Nzima Foundation are in the process of building a long-term and meaningful relationship to develop the Dr Sam Nzima Memorial Lecture.
Last year, on the fifth anniversary of Dr Nzima's death, TUT's Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Tiniiko Maluleke, announced a long-term commitment to develop the Dr Sam Nzima Memorial Lecture in collaboration with the Sam Nzima Foundation. He said that they are building meaningful relationships. It's bigger and reaches farther.
joburg film festival
life through his lens is just one of 60 films and documentaries from around the world.
Another document that will be screened is Bye-bye, Tiberiasis a documentary that follows a young Palestinian woman who leaves her village to pursue her dream of becoming an actress, leaving behind her mother, grandmother, and sisters.
Organized by MulitChoice, the Joburg Film Festival, now in its sixth year, screens a wide range of fascinating films from local and international filmmakers, set against the vibrant backdrop of Johannesburg. This year's festival includes films from over 30 of his countries.
Umkhonto Wesizwe-Mandela's secret army is another documentary that will be screened at the festival. The film chronicles the life of a former uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) member.
It is a reflection of generations of young people who risked death, risking their lives and futures for the dream of a free South Africa.
Absa was recently announced as a partner of the festival.
“Staying true to our philosophy of making a positive impact on society, there was a natural fit between Absa’s work and what the Joburg Film Festival has been building over the past six years,” said the bank’s brand and marketing manager. Managing Executive Candice Thurston said.
The festival will be held from February 27th to March 3rd, 2024.
