The Daily Vox
Held over four days last week, the Emthonjeni Heritage Film Festival in Cape Town showcased films of heritage and historical relevance. Ling Shepherd attended the festival and found it to be educational and cathartic.
Film festivals in Cape Town are usually concentrated in the CBD of Cape Town. The Emthonjeni Festival was held in Gugulethu,Khayelitsha and KwaLanga – historically Black townships in Cape Town. The location is very significant as it was accessible, and at best one taxi away. If you live on the Cape Flats accessible transport is key. The festival was established in 2020 due to lack of film opportunities and platforms for township based filmmakers. Through the years a rise of filmmaking in the townships of Cape Town has emerged. These filmmakers do not have access to film festivals and yet have continued to produce amazing films.