Jozi Film Festival: Short Documentaries

The Jozi Film Festival is an annual event that showcases the latest films made by South African and international filmmakers in one of Africa’s most vibrant cities – Johannesburg. The seventh Jozi Film Festival will highlight the very best in filmmaking, presenting a multi-genre slate of films from emerging and established filmmakers, exploring a broad range of topics that affect our communities and stir our hearts and minds.

Tickets: R50

Short Documentaries

A Black Man In Zimbabwe, SA 

Dir: Roger Horn / 4min 15s

Africa Premiere

In 1994, 62 school children in Ruwa, Zimbabwe, claimed to have seen a UFO and a black man on a school playground. No teachers or school employees witnessed the sighting. Fact or creative fabrication? Filmed in extreme close ups, director Roger Horn lets his imagination run wils as he combines archival interviews with visuals collected throughout Southern Africa and Europe.

Give A Man A Mask and He Will Tell You The Truth, Zimbabwe (11:50)

Dir: Eric Gauss / 11min 50s

The challenges this marginalised group faces in Zimbabwe include stigma, abuse from the communities and rejection at health care facilities. In these times of extreme poverty and limited job prospects, more men sell their bodies for sexual favours. Ina  country where the laws, religious and cultural beliefs discriminate against homesexuality, the men are at risk of being found out by family and the Church. Give A Man A Mask…uncovers the various ways men hide their profession, sexual preference and character to protect themselves. 

Sanctuary Lost, SA (10:14)

Dir: Lotte Manicom / 10min 14s

South African Premiere

Over time, South Africa’s progressive refugee system has descended into a state of crisis. In response, the government now plans to construct refugee camps on its northern borders, and a main tenet of the South African constitution – freedom of movement – looks set to be compromised. Sanctuary Lost combines expert, academic and refugee voices to track the rise and collapse of the country’s unique refugee landscape.

Dula, SA

Dir: Jasyn Howes / 26min 50s

South African Premiere

Abdul grew up in Brooklyn, Cape Town. He spent his formative years breaking the rules and by the age of 15, he was part of the infamous 28’s gang. In 2012, whilst out partying with his friends,he got into a fight on the street and the tussle ended with his opponent being stabbed to death. Abdul was subsequently convicted of murder and sent to prison at Drakenstein Correctional Facility. Whilst on the inside, he found the sport of boxing. This changed the course of his life – this is his story.

Missing Piece, USA

Dir: Tim Guthrie / 25min

Africa Premieres

Simultaneously a portrait and a self portrait. This moving short documentary is the filmmaker’s homage to his wife, who passed away a year before the film was made. The story is told through the use of photographs, old and new, in a unique way.