The Story⚡
The Joburg Film Festival returns for its 8th edition under the theme “Feel the Frame”, presenting a selection of African and international feature films.
Tell Me More
The festival programme includes a range of narrative and documentary features, many of which receive South African or African premieres. Below are 10 selected feature films from the lineup, each with its director and a description of its content.
The Trek
Directed by Meekaaeel Adam, this supernatural survival horror follows a Dutch-Afrikaans family and their British benefactor in 1846 as they undertake a dangerous crossing of the Kalahari Desert to claim land. As starvation, suspicion, and madness take hold, the travellers confront primaeval spirits watching their journey, turning the trek into a confrontation with both the harsh environment and unseen forces.
Ancestral Visions of the Future
Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese directs this work that blurs the lines between reality and reconstruction. Presented as a personal love letter to home, the film weaves potent symbolism and intimate nostalgia, inviting viewers to experience memory and existence through the Lesotho filmmaker’s distinctive poetic lens.
Orwell 2+2=5
Raoul Peck, the Haitian director known for examining power and truth, presents this new feature. The film offers a reflective historical lens on themes of authority, manipulation, and societal control, continuing Peck’s tradition of probing documentary and narrative forms.
13 Days 13 Nights
Set in Kabul during August 2021, this action feature depicts Afghan troops guarding the French embassy amid the Taliban takeover. Commander Mohamed Bida and his men face the urgent task of evacuating 500 people to the airport through chaos and extreme danger as the city falls.
Our Land
Directed by Orban Wallace, this documentary explores the debate over access to nature in England. It follows the Right to Roam movement’s organised trespass events clashing with landowners who position themselves as stewards, blending historical context with current conflicts over property, custodianship, and conservation to question long-held beliefs about land ownership.
Dreamers
Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor directs this drama about Isio, a Nigerian migrant detained in a UK removal centre after living illegally for two years. As her asylum pleas are rejected, Isio forms bonds with fellow detainees, including a deepening relationship with the charismatic Farah, leading to tensions between following rules and seeking escape in pursuit of freedom and love.
Dust to Dreams
The Assassination of President William R. Tolbert
This documentary explores the life and legacy of Liberian President William R. Tolbert Jr., a figure marked by contradiction. It delves into his leadership, the events surrounding his assassination, and the broader implications for the nation’s history.
Aicha
Selected for the festival, this feature addresses personal and cultural themes through its narrative, contributing to the programme’s focus on diverse African and global stories.
Gods Work
Directed by Michael James from South Africa, this drama examines moral and existential questions within a local context, adding to the selection of narrative features exploring human experience.
In Summary
Running from 3 to 8 March 2026 across venues in Johannesburg, the festival features over 60 films, including many premieres, with jury awards across multiple categories.
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