Sisanda Henna Films, the boutique production house dedicated to bold, Afro-centric storytelling, is set to debut three gripping short films at this year’s Johannesburg Film Festival. Founded by award-winning actor, director, and producer Sisanda Henna, the company has established itself as a key player in African cinema, producing high-quality, thought-provoking content that resonates locally and globally.
Sisanda, whose career spans acclaimed performances in Tsha Tsha, Trackers, Devil’s Peak, Heart of the Hunter, and Rogue, has built a legacy of compelling storytelling through Sisanda Henna Films. The production house has serviced and or delivered on standout projects, including One Night Kwa Mxolisi and Omowale, which have garnered critical praise for their unique narratives and cultural depth.
This year, Sisanda Henna Films presents three dynamic short films at the festival: Belinda, Indlu Yenkomo, and Members Only. These films are part of the Youth Filmmaker Project, a collaboration between Sisanda Henna Films and the National Film & Video Foundation (NFVF), which annually produces 10 debut short films by some of the country’s most promising writer-directors. The initiative is further supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts & Culture Council, and SABC’s Industry Development.
Head of Industry Development at NFVF, Yolanda Ncokotwana said: “The NFVF is thrilled to see films funded through the Youth Filmmaker Project featured in prominent festivals like the Joburg Film Festival. These young filmmakers represent the future of South African cinema, and we are proud to have supported the start of their successful careers. As an organisation dedicated to the growth of the South African film industry, we commit to working diligently and promptly to ensure more projects like these reach our screens and markets worldwide. A big thank you to the dedicated team from Sisanda Henna Films for their hard work with these young filmmakers.”
Each film, directed by a debut filmmaker from the Youth Filmmaker Project, explores powerful themes of greed, identity, vengeance, and survival, offering a fresh lens on Africa’s past, present, and imagined futures – while unleashing new directing talent to make its mark on the world stage.
Directed and written by Isaac Kasende, Belinda is a supernatural dark-comedy that delves into greed and the human appetite for instant gratification. Set in Hotel Afreeca, three employees – Ophelia, Gary, and Mandla, played by Muadi Ilung, Daniel Janks, and Mandla Gaduka – stumble upon a mysterious machine in an abandoned room. The machine dispenses cash, but at a gruesome cost. Initially hesitant, the trio succumbs to their greed. As they navigate eccentric hotel guests and their moral dilemmas, their sinister plan spirals into chaos. Belinda is a darkly comedic exploration of betrayal and the price of wealth.
A visually striking, mythical dystopian drama rooted in African spirituality, Indlu Yenkomo envisions a world where ancestors and lunar power govern destiny. Written and directed by Thosama Busakwe and co-directed by Khule Mayisa, the story follows Nameless, played by Letlotlo Zimkhitha Mohlabeng, a girl born of two warring nations—The Horn Nation of the East and Zim Noirs of the West. A prophecy foretells that her feet hold immense power, and on the night of her first blood, she must be killed before the blood moons wane. As supernatural forces conspire against her, Nameless and her parents, played by Chrispen Nyathi, fight to defy fate, grappling with the sacrifices required for unity. At its heart, Indlu Yenkomo is a powerful tale of a parent’s love and their unrelenting will to protect their child.
A gripping coming-of-age crime drama written and directed by Mangatsila Hlaise, takes a deep dive into peer pressure, survival, and the lure of fast money. Claudio, played by Chidera Nwoha, a Mozambican teenager, desperately wants to fit in and gain status at his school. To complete his gang initiation, he must participate in stealing newly acquired laptops from the school’s computer lab. As the plan unfolds, Claudio is forced to question his choices, especially when his loyal best friend, Ntsako (Onakho Hlanti), gets involved in an attempt to save him. As tension mounts and the stakes rise, Members Only paints a raw and thrilling picture of the consequences of gang life and the price of acceptance.
Also see: Pride Month Excellence: Young, Gifted and Queer, a must-see at the Johannesburg Film Festival
