The Ergo Company is proud to announce that two of its critically acclaimed films, Old Righteous Blues and Black People Don’t Get Depressed, have been selected to screen at the prestigious Joburg Film Festival on Sunday 16th of March 2025. Old Righteous Blues will screen at 13:00pm at Theatre On The Square, Sandton, while Black People Don’t Get Depressed will screen at 12:00pm at Artistry JHB, Sandton.
Old Righteous Blues and Black People Don’t Get Depressed are two powerful and thought-provoking films that explore themes of community, social issues, identity, culture, and mental health. Old Righteous Blues has received critical acclaim for its bold storytelling, stunning cinematography, and outstanding performances.
“We are thrilled to have our films showcased at the Joburg Film Festival,” said Dumi Gumbi, 5 time SAFTA award winner and producer of The Ergo Company. “This platform provides an incredible opportunity for our stories to reach a wider audience and spark meaningful conversations.”
The multi-award winning and nominated Old Righteous Blues, which is an adaptation of a screenplay by the celebrated Carol Shore, tells the story of a young man who is forced to confront his limitations, face the ghosts of the past and rise above establishment constraints to unite a fractured community and realise his life-long dream of leading his town’s Christmas Choir Band (Kerskoor) to its former glory. The film was South Africa’s selection into the Oscars 2025 and was also nominated at the Black Reel Film Awards in December 2024. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Muneera Sallies and starring Aydan Croy (Suidooster, Arendsvlei), Joshwin Dyson (Arendsvlei), Simon Bruinders (7de Laan, Getroud Met Rugby), Meg Saayman (Arendsvlei) and Kevin Smith (Backstage, Isidingo), the film boost a crew that had not previously had the opportunity to lead their departments on international productions.
Old Righteous Blues was made possible through the support of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), KykNet Films, Indigenous Film Distribution, and production company The Ergo Company’s distribution company – Ergo Distro International.
Shot in South Africa, Zambia and Canada, Black People Don’t Get Depressed is a poetic exploration of mental health issues among creatives in communities on the African continent and in the diaspora, exploring myths, stigma and solutions through personal stories of the characters. The documentary depicts characters’ joy, resilience, beauty and survival despite the odds, and unpacks underlying conditions such as oppression, systemic racism, and generational trauma that have led to a point in history where black people can be vocal about mental health. The story follows an array of characters, including a musician, poet, artist, comedian, medical doctor and a filmmaker; comprising Baba Buntu, Doris Chanda, Agnes Chitambo, Tisa Chitambo, recently departed Ebenhaezer Dibakwane, Relebone Rirhandzu eAfrika, Ian Kamau, Gogo Khayela, Mama Tebogo, Apish Tshetsha, Helena O’neill, and the late Dr Sindi Van Zyl.
“This film is a personal journey born out of the frustrating and frightening experiences of neglect and violation I experienced, and through the stories of ordinary and well-known people, who share their intimate journeys with managing their own mental health issues. Through different and often difficult personal reflections the film interrogates limited access to mental health services and the destructive ripple effects of neglecting mental health. By telling these stories we aim to spark essential conversations, challenge societal norms, and inspire meaningful change,” says Sara Chitambo-Hatira, director & producer.
Black People Don’t Get Depressed is produced by The Ergo Company’s Cati Weinek, Dumi Gumbi, and Sara Chitambo-Hatira who is also the director, and edited by Nomfundo Masango. This social change documentary film was made possible through the support of the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa(NFVF), and Gauteng Film Commission (GFC).
The Joburg Film Festival is a premier event that celebrates the best in African and international cinema. The festival provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work, network with industry professionals, and engage with audiences.
For more information about the screening, including ticket sales and festival schedules, please visit the Joburg Film Festival website or
The Ergo Company is a film production company dedicated to creating thought-provoking and visually stunning films that explore the human condition. With a focus on storytelling that entertains, challenges societal norms and sparks meaningful conversations, The Ergo Company is committed to producing high-quality films that resonate with audiences worldwide.
It has established itself as a leading film production company, showcasing exceptional storytelling and promoting social impact. Its goal might be to take audiences on an entertaining journey through different worlds, but the approach is a strategic and disciplined one. The Ergo Company has its sights set on developing a content studio with global reach.
