Hluma Film Festival will bring two days of African storytelling, film screenings and industry dialogue to Pietermaritzburg on 14–15 November 2026. Now in its eighth edition, the festival, formerly known as the uMgungundlovu Film Festival, will feature 16 films and seven panel discussions at the Voortrekker Museum and Bessie Head Library.Held under
the theme “Where Truth Is Planted, Our Lens Finds the Light,” the festival celebrates African stories while creating opportunities for filmmakers, students, industry professionals and the public to engage with the people and ideas shaping South Africa’s film industry, as well as the challenges it faces. Festival Director Portia Ndudane says the festival aims to amplify local voices and broaden access to the creative sector. “Our stories deserve to be seen,
heard and experienced. Film connects people across generations, preserves our truths and opens conversations that might otherwise remain unheard. Hluma Film Festival is committed to nurturing emerging storytellers and creating opportunities for our communities to participate in the film industry,” says Ndudane.The festival opens on 14 November with Ikhaya Lami starring
Sibusiso Sithole, Zamuntu Khoza, Mnqobi Kunene, Thandeka Ndenza, Phindi Phewa and Bhekani Shabalala and directed by KwaZulu-Natal filmmaker Ayanda Makhanya, and closes on 15 November with 6 Queens and 6 Kings, directed by Limpopo filmmaker Molatelo Bossman. This year’s selection explores themes of identity, memory, relationships and social realities, offering audiences an opportunity to discover diverse perspectives and engage with
stories from a range of communities.The 2026 film screening programme includes:· Ikhaya Lami, directed by Ayanda Makhanya· Tomasi, directed by Portia Mncwabe· Hot Plate, directed by Shadie Mphaphuli· Mayfair, directed by Neo Leonardo Mokoena· The Deep Well, directed by Alphonse Menyo· Polyamorous US, directed by Mantile
Malehu M· Zebra Crossing, directed by James Robert Whitelaw· Remember Their Names, directed by Sihle Hlophe· Kedibonye, directed by Itumeleng Durvie Morake· Nongqawuse, directed by Sipho Dee Zena· The Spring, directed by Teodoro Francesco Liberto· Beyond Memory, directed by
Nhlanhla Sphilele Thusini· Enclosed, directed by Fulufhelo Nemalili· Echoes of the Cursed Son, directed by Sbongikuhle Kunene· Letter to Society, produced by O’larato Masalesa· 6 Queens and 6 Kings, directed by Molatelo BossmanThe screenings provide a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work, connect with audiences and contribute to conversations about the role of film in society.
Alongside the screenings, seven panel discussions and information-sharing sessions will explore the opportunities available to South African filmmakers and the challenges they face.Topics include:1. Understanding Industry Funding and Support Opportunities; navigating available industry support.2. Accessing Industry Support: Funding, Guidelines and Opportunities; understanding funding models, requirements and application processes.3. Creating a Local Film Ecosystem: Opportunities, Partnerships
and Growth; strengthening collaboration and local industry development.4. Creating Space: Women Film Festivals and the Power of Ownership; advancing women’s leadership, ownership and representation.5. The Pressure to Produce: Mental Health, Scarcity and Survival in Film Production; addressing resource constraints, production pressures and mental well-being.6. Beyond the Screen: New Pathways for
Film Distribution; exploring ways to reach audiences and navigate changing distribution opportunities.7. Behind the Scenes: Mental Health and the Emotional Realities of Acting; examining the emotional demands of performance and the importance of actor well-being.The sessions aim to encourage knowledge-sharing and assist emerging filmmakers better
understand the resources, networks and opportunities available within the industry.Hluma Film Festival’s work extends beyond its annual event. Through its engagement with rural and township communities across the uMgungundlovu District, the festival aims to expand access to film education, develop emerging talent and create pathways into the creative
economy. It recognises that limited resources, geographical distance and restricted access to industry networks can prevent aspiring filmmakers from pursuing their ambitions. By combining screenings with industry conversations, the festival seeks to create a more inclusive environment in
which local talent can grow and underrepresented stories can reach wider audiences.The name Hluma reflects growth: like a seed nurtured into a plant, stories can develop, inspire and benefit future generations. This philosophy underpins the festival’s commitment to preserving community histories, encouraging authentic storytelling and supporting the next generation of
African filmmakers.Hluma Film Festival 2026 welcomes filmmakers, students, film enthusiasts, industry professionals and members of the public to join the celebrations in Pietermaritzburg. The festival acknowledges the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) for its support in making the 2026 edition possible