Cape Town, South Africa – Two powerful short films from Sisanda Henna Films’ acclaimed Little Africa series will be screened at the FAME Shorts Film Festival, taking place at The Labia Theatre from 4-6 September 2025. The selected films, Rearview and Belinda, have garnered significant recognition with nominations across 14 categories for the FAME Shorts Film Awards. The winners will be announced on 3 September at the opening of the FAME Shorts Film Festival.
The Little Africa series comprises 10 short films that were developed through the Youth Filmmaker Project, a one year writer-directors incubation project that results in short films that directors can use as their calling cards. The incubator is supported by SABC, the NFVF, and KZN Film & Tourism. The Little Africa series prompted creatives to consider what it was like to live as a foreigner in South Africa and the films respond across horror, comedy and drama titles to make up a definitely African body of work.
Rearview, written and directed by Chris Djuma, takes viewers on a hellish e-hailing ride through Johannesburg, while Belinda, a dark comedy by Isaac Kasende, documents an eerie, life-changing discovery by a group of friends. Belinda premiered at the Joburg Film Festival. It was picked up at the Hollywood Africa Cinema Connect and will be going to the Hollyshorts Festival, also an Academy Award© qualifying Festival in October this year. Rearview was screened to great acclaim at the Eurasia Festival and the American Black Film Festival in June and will be going to the Soul Festival in the UK later this year.
Sisanda Henna, celebrated actor/director and owner of Sisanda Henna Films, shared that he’s looking forward to seeing audiences enjoying the films at FAME Shorts Film Festival. “We’re also going to be showcasing the Little Africa Anthology at MIP Africa (the film and television trade show that is part of FAME Week Africa). “All of the directors of these films grew in leaps and bounds during the year of the project, it’s so great we’re getting recognition all over the world. Our thanks to the NFVF, SABC, Kwa Zulu-Natal Film & Tourism, Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council, the DTIC, IDC and our production partners, Known Associates, for their contribution to this project.”
FAME Week Short’s, Steven Beckett, said the Festival was looking forward to showcasing the exceptional film-making talent on the African continent, “The calibre of work on this year’s programme is diverse and interesting. Our film-makers are showing their range and maturity and FAME Week Africa (of which the Shorts Festival is a part) brings a bridge to expose their work to new audiences and professionals from the global industry.”
See film details and trailers for Rearview here and for Belinda here. Tickets for the FAME Shorts Film Festival are purchased for a block of four short films each. A ticket for a single block is R50. Tickets can be bought via https://fameshortsfilmfestival.com
Rearview is a compelling film about a foreign national who drives a taxi in Johannesburg, It will be on at the FAME Shorts Film Festival on 4 September 2025.
About Sisanda Henna Films:
Sisanda Henna Films is a premier boutique motion pictures company founded by celebrated actor Sisanda Henna; dedicated to crafting a select portfolio of compelling, world-class Afro-centric projects annually.
Sisanda Henna’s Little Africa is an anthology television series exploring immigration and integration of the African diaspora through various genres of fictional tales from comedy, romance to thriller and action etc.
The series is available for syndication and licensing world-wide. For media enquiries Sisanda Henna Films contact Simphiwe Dhlamini 067 156 7562 simphiwe@sisandahennafilms.com
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