Connie Chiume International Youth Film Festival to Uplift Young African Storytellers and Celebrate a Legacy of Creative Empowerment
The inaugural Connie Chiume International Youth Film Festival will take place from 18 to 20 July 2025 at the Sibikwa Arts Centre in Benoni, Gauteng, with a powerful programme of screenings, workshops, awards, and cultural activations designed to honour the legacy of the late actress Connie Chiume while building tangible opportunities for the next generation of African filmmakers.
This year’s festival is especially significant, marking the first edition since the passing of its visionary founder in August 2024. More than a tribute, the festival is a living continuation of Connie Chiume’s life’s work—creating platforms for youth, democratising access to the arts, and championing African stories on the global stage.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Nothando Mabuza, daughter of Chiume and Executive Producer of the festival, reflected on the meaning behind the initiative:
“This is more than just a celebration of emerging talent — it’s a vital platform that gives students a real opportunity to enter the film industry, tell their stories, and build meaningful careers. It empowers communities, inspires creativity, and helps create sustainable employment in the arts. Most importantly, it keeps my mother’s legacy alive — a legacy rooted in passion, perseverance, and the belief in uplifting others.”
Curated by celebrated DJ and cultural curator Noluthando Rotwane (aka DJ Teedo Love), the three-day event will showcase a bold, youth-led screening lineup, with films reflecting on themes such as mental health, gender equality, and social inclusion.
“The Connie Chiume International Youth Film Festival is a celebration of what’s possible when we give young people the tools, spaces, and platforms to dream and create,” said Nongelo Chiume, Festival Spokesperson. “We’re not only building future filmmakers—we’re expanding access to an entire economy of opportunity that Mama Connie cared deeply about.”
A standout feature of the festival is the screening of the South African classic What Did You Dream?, directed by Karabo Lediga and starring Connie Chiume. The film will serve as a powerful tribute to Chiume’s decades-long impact on stage and screen.
Also on the lineup is Uprize! by Sifiso Khanyile, a riveting documentary inspired by the 1976 Soweto Uprising that reflects on student-led resistance and generational memory. These works, along with student short films from across South Africa, will be presented to a multigenerational audience of learners, educators, creatives, and industry leaders.
The festival opens intentionally on Nelson Mandela Day (18 July) and will include a special “Connie Chiume 67 Minutes Challenge”, encouraging established professionals in the film and TV industries to volunteer an hour of mentorship to youth participants.
In further honour of Chiume’s legacy, the festival will host the Connie Chiume Memorial Lecture, an annual address delivered by a respected figure in the arts and culture sector. This inaugural lecture will explore the role of storytelling in shaping legacy, consciousness, and nationhood.
In partnership with the Sibikwa Arts Centre, the festival offers practical masterclasses and workshops across disciplines such as directing, cinematography, scriptwriting, editing, costume and production design, sound, proposal writing, rights management, and film distribution. These hands-on sessions are designed to break down industry gatekeeping and give marginalised youth the tools to succeed professionally.
Chiume’s commitment to development is already evident through initiatives like The Business of Acting workshop series, run by the Connie Chiume Foundation. The festival now scales that commitment nationally, uniting training with industry exposure, mentorship, and employment pathways.
“The aim is not only to spotlight talent, but to create a functional ecosystem where young people feel seen, supported, and skilled enough to enter the industry with confidence,” added Nongelo Chiume. “We are deeply intentional about inclusion—from who gets to tell stories to who gets to build careers.”
The Legends Awards will return as part of the celebration, recognising the unsung heroes behind the scenes—lighting technicians, line producers, casting directors, editors, and other professionals whose quiet excellence holds the creative sector together.
Supported by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the festival reaffirms national efforts to invest in a sustainable, inclusive, and proudly African creative economy.
