15 May 2025–In what can be best described as a jubilant celebration of South African cinema, the 2nd Annual Khuma Film Festival is poised to light up the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, North West Province with a star-studded event that promises to honour the dramatic prowess of one of Orkney and the province’s finest in veteran actor—award-winning Moditle “Boikie” Pholo— whose contribution to the country’s film industry has left an indelible mark on audiences and aspiring actors alike.
The Khuma Film Festival, a standout on the province’s social calendar, set for the Phillemon Masinga Sports Complex Hall from Wednesday, May 28 to Friday, May 30 serves as a crucial platform for recognising both emerging and established filmmakers. This year’s celebration, set against the backdrop of the stunning North West landscape, will not only highlight the vast talent within the region but also unite communities through the shared love of cinema.
Moditle “Boikie” Pholo’s recognition at the festival is testament to his enduring influence in the acting realm. With a career that spans over five decades, Pholo has captivated audiences through a diverse array of roles that resonate deeply with South African cultural narratives. His ability to embody complex characters has not only earned him accolades but also a loyal fanbase that admires his dedication to the craft. Through his stellar hard work over the years, he has inspired the second and third generation of actors and other talented filmmakers from this culturally rich province. Pholo, known for his role as Raitlhwana in the iconic 1980s sitcom Lesilo Rula, has also appeared in the SABC 1 sitcom, Ga Re Dumele, Skeem Saam, Memello, Soul Buddyz and Generations, among a string of local and international productions. The talented industry veteran will be honoured for his great contribution in the country’s film and TV industry as well as for putting the North West Province on the map.
The festival promises a dynamic lineup that showcases South Africa’s vibrant storytelling tradition, featuring screenings, workshops, and discussions that bring together film enthusiasts and industry professionals. With Pholo’s honour at the forefront, attendees can expect an event steeped in celebration, appreciation, and the exploration of cinematic artistry.
Khuma Film Festival Director and award-winning actor, director and producer, Neo Ntlatleng has indicated that apart from ensuring young and the mature audience immerse themselves in some of the films on offer as well as the many workshops and panel discussions, honouring those who have paved a way for the current generation of actors and filmmakers makes hosting this prestigious film festival one of the most inspirational endeavours. “We are proud and honoured to have the opportunity to honour and celebrate our very own legend, Ntate Boikie Pholo. It is about time that our legends are given their flowers while they can still smell them. His work has not only inspired young people and actors from the North West Province, but generations of actors, actresses and filmmakers from across the country’s nine provinces. We are truly delighted to have himamong us— a true living legend who has done so much for this fraternity,” says Neo Ntlatleng as he gears to wow audiences with his creative brilliance.
Opening and Closing films
The veteran actor’s big day comes just as the film festival has unveiled its opening and closing films as the festival, which is set to kick off its second edition.
Kicking off the festival on the Opening Night, Tuesday is Sew the Winter into My Skin, a local film set in South Africa’s rural Great-Karoo region in the 1950s. Sew the Winter into My Skin a 2018 epic existential-adventure film which chronicles the exploits of the outlaw John Kepe and the various individuals his escapades affected. Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker, Jahmil X.T. Qubeka and starring Ezra Mabengeza, Peter Kurth, Kandyse McClure, the film tells a true story of John Kepe (Ezra Mabengeza) whose journey as an outlaw explores the inherent desire and need in humanity to not only seek out heroes but also to fabricate and create them.
“We have curated brilliant films that will not only resonate with our audiences, but will also inspire young people to tell their own stories in a unique way. As the festival aims to establish a film industry in the area and create a film appreciative community, we hope that the foundation we have built, will ultimately result in reaching these goals,” says Khuma Film Festival founder, Ms Naomi Mokhele.
The festival will wrap will wrap up in fine style with the screening of South Africa’s leading late actor Menzi Ngubane whose documentary the Life and Times of Menzi Ngubane will take film lovers down memory lane of this big and small screen legend. This touching and emotional documentary gives audiences an up-close and personal and a rare glimpse into the life of one of South Africa’s acting legends, Menzi Ngubane from 1987 to 2020 just a year before his tragic passing in March 2021.
Besides showcasing some of the country’s leading films curated to bring audiences a vast taste of the country’s cinematic genres, last year, the Khuma Film Festival which attracted both a young and mature audience taught, informed, educated and entertained its audiences amid school tours, workshops and masterclasses by some of the country’s leading film stars, producers and directors. This year is no different as the festival promises the creative talents of Vincent Moloi, Neo Ntlatleng, Robert Mpisi, Israel Matseke-Zulu, Thembile Botman and Didintle Khonou, amongst the facilitators who will share their expertise.
The Khuma Film Festival is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) through the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme.