We speak FILM festival with Thabo Mkhabela AKA LESHOLE Skeem Sam

The Bushbuckridge Film Festival is back, bigger, bolder, and more inspiring than ever. Returning in July 2025, this dynamic celebration of South African cinema once again brings the magic of film to the heart of rural Mpumalanga. As the flagship programme of the Bushbuckridge Arts Festival (established in 2023), the festival remains steadfast in its mission: to champion authentic storytelling and nurture the next generation of filmmakers from Bushbuckridge and beyond.
This year's edition features a powerful lineup of more than 15 thought-provoking films from visionary creators across Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal. Audiences can expect an exciting mix of short films, documentaries, and feature-length narratives that reflect the vibrancy, complexity, and spirit of South African life. Among the standout titles are KaNgawane: The Legacy by Mandla Qwabe, Khwela by Victor Molele, Son of the Soil by Conride Chiloane, and Penda by Ndaba Ngwane, each film offering bold perspectives and unforgettable storytelling.