Joburg Film Festival 2025: The Golden Thread – Connected Through Stories

December 2, 2024

Connecting Stories With A Golden Thread At The Joburg Film Festival

The Joburg Film Festival (JFF), in partnership with the MultiChoice Group, is proud to announce the highly anticipated seventh edition of the festival under the theme ‘The Golden Thread – Connected Through Stories’. Taking place from 11–16 March 2025, the festival celebrates the timeless value of storytelling and the profound interconnectedness of shared human experiences.

Our Stories, Our Gold

Guided by the tagline ‘Our Stories. Our Gold’, the festival embraces Joburg’s identity as the “City of Gold,” highlighting stories as precious treasures illuminating lives and reflecting collective wisdom across diverse global communities.

The Essence of “The Golden Thread”

The theme emphasises the ties that bind us, representing 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.”

Diverse Film Lineup

The seventh edition will feature over 60 curated titles, including local, African, and international fiction, documentaries, and shorts. The festival promises several world premieres, showcasing diverse narratives:

Sebata: A South African detective thriller by Norman Maake.
Timmy the Kid: A rural-urban comedy from Gray Hofmeyr with a star-studded local cast.
The Man Died: Adapted from Wole Soyinka’s prison memoir, directed by Awam Amkpa.
To a Land Unknown: A Lebanese-directed drama about Palestinian cousins escaping despair.
Under the Volcano: A Ukrainian stranded in Spain learns of Russia’s invasion.
Ernest Cole: Lost and Found: Chronicles the life of the iconic South African photographer.

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.
Nomsa Philiso, CEO of General Entertainment, MultiChoice

Industry Programmes: Joburg Xchange (JBX)

JBX Business

The JBX Market has grown significantly, with 165 participants to date. It brings together exhibitors, producers, content creators, buyers, and investors. Early registration is open on the JFF website.

JBX Talks

Under the theme ‘Made in Joburg for Africa and the World’, JBX Talks will feature panels, workshops, and masterclasses celebrating African narratives and positioning Joburg as a global storytelling hub. Early Bird badges go on sale on 3 December.

JBX Youth

A new addition, JBX Youth focuses on nurturing the next generation of filmmakers through workshops, mentorships, and skills development opportunities during the festival.

Youth & Audience Development Programme

Launching in February 2025, this initiative empowers aspiring filmmakers aged 18–35 with tools for success. Highlights include:

Two-day workshops at the Kagiso Archives Centre
Film screenings and mentorship opportunities
The annual Young Voices Competition under the theme ‘The Power of Sports in Film’