By Sitha Maliwa:
A hush is expected to fall over the Voortrekker Museum on November 14 as the lights dim and the first frame of The Unseen Voice flickers onto the screen – marking the opening of the 7th uMgungundlovu Film Festival (UFF). This year, the festival roars to life under the bold theme, “Imagine the World in My Image,” with a story that pierces the heart and ignites urgent conversations about inclusion and humanity.
More than just a film festival, UFF has become a sanctuary for stories often silenced – a space where the unseen, the unheard, and the uncelebrated take centre stage. And what better way to open this year’s edition – which coincides with Disability Rights Awareness Month – than with a film that gives voice to those society too often ignores?
Written and directed by the award-winning Jerome Moremi, The Unseen Voice tells the harrowing story of a young deaf woman whose life spirals after being denied medical care simply because hospital staff cannot communicate with her. No interpreter is available. No one listens. Her silent struggle turns into a battle cry for justice, awakening an entire community to demand change and recognition.
“We are thrilled to open our festival with a film that resonates so deeply with our theme, in addition to Disability Rights Awareness Month,” said Portia Ndudane, Founder of the uMgungundlovu Film Festival and Director of Amadeyi Productions. “Through The Unseen Voice, Moremi not only raises awareness about the everyday struggles faced by the Deaf community but also challenges audiences to reflect on inclusion, equality, and the importance of accessible communication in all public spaces.”
Over the past six years, the festival has grown from a humble community event into one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most influential film platforms, renowned for spotlighting authentic African stories and giving emerging filmmakers the stage they deserve. This year, UFF continues its mission – not just to entertain, but to educate, provoke, and inspire.
Day Two of the festival, hosted at the Bessie Head Library from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., promises a cinematic feast: 33 films from 13 countries – each one a testament to the richness and diversity of global storytelling. Among the highlights are Still Here by Joy Maseko, My Winter Tears by Lindani Msibi, Slow Fruit by Kwazikwenkosi Ntombela-Langa, and You Are Not Alone, a touching animated film by James Whitelaw created especially for young audiences.
Beyond the screen, skills development workshops will equip aspiring filmmakers, actors, and creatives with practical industry tools – from screenwriting and production to marketing, distribution, and storytelling for social change. This year’s discussions will also tackle hard-hitting topics such as disability inclusion and LGBTQ+ representation in film, underscoring the festival’s deep commitment to diversity.
The curtain will fall on 16 November with BOBO – a stirring drama from Kenyan filmmakers Bruno Tanya and Maurice Muendo. Set in the slums of Mathare, BOBO tells the story of an 18-year-old girl who dares to rise above poverty and crime by entering a modelling competition to save her family from a ruthless gangster. Her journey from despair to defiance encapsulates the very soul of African resilience – the kind of story UFF exists to celebrate.
The festival will close with its prestigious Awards Ceremony, honouring filmmakers who have pushed boundaries, challenged stereotypes, and used cinema as a weapon of truth.
Supported by the KZN Tourism and Film Authority, the uMgungundlovu Film Festival has become a vital platform for new voices and a reminder that storytelling, when wielded with heart, can heal, challenge, and unite.
As the credits roll on The Unseen Voice, one message will linger in the air – everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and understood. -@NewsSA_Online
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