Lisbon screening opens global doors for young Eastern Cape filmmakers

A young filmmaking trio from the Eastern Cape are turning a 48-hour challenge into a growing international success story, after their award-winning short film, SA Confidential, earned them global recognition.

Scriptwriter Muso Mzila, director Elona Mginqi and casting director Yongama Dangazele recently represented the Eastern Cape Institute of Film (Ecif) at the Filmapalooza Festival in Lisbon, Portugal, after winning top honours in the 48-Hour Film Project in Makhanda.

Their film scooped Best Film, Best Director and Best Writer, placing them among the best emerging creatives on the international stage.

The thriller, SA Confidential, tells the gripping story of a corrupt detective who secretly lives a double life as a serial killer while pretending to investigate the very crimes he commits.

As the plot unfolds, the detective discovers that his own partner is the mob boss he has been working with, adding another layer of suspense to the story.

Mginqi said the journey began as a bold challenge, but quickly became something much bigger for the team.

“In 2025, our team embarked on an extraordinary journey that would not only elevate our craft but also place our voices on an international stage,” Mginqi said.

“Entering the 48-Hour Film Project was a challenge, especially because we are a group of females, but we embraced it with passion, resilience and an unwavering belief in our story.”

She said winning multiple awards was a defining moment for the team and for the Eastern Cape’s creative industry.

“These awards were not just wins for our team, but a powerful affirmation of the creative excellence that exists within South Africa, particularly from regions that are too often overlooked,” she said.

Only Mginqi and Mzila travelled to Lisbon to represent the three-member team, while Dangazele, who is the casting director, remained at home.

The three often work with freelancers to complete their productions, depending on the project.

At Filmapalooza, their film was screened alongside some of the best short films from around the world.

Mginqi described the experience as both humbling and inspiring, saying it opened doors for future collaborations.

“Beyond the screenings, we engaged in meaningful networking with filmmakers, producers and creatives from different countries,” Mginqi said.

“These interactions have already begun to open doors —creating pathways for collaboration, growth and global opportunities.”

The first time Theo Bongani Ndyalvane tried to re-enact a film he had seen as an eight-year-old boy, his older brother dismissed him, insisting that was not how the story went. But his mother saw something different. “She told him to stop, looked at me and held my hand and said, ‘Don’t listen to him, you are going to be a great storyteller, wena mntanam. “When you tell stories, you tell them so well and so passionately,’” Ndyalvane said. Years later, that childhood encouragement has carried him onto the global stage. Now 40, the actor — who grew up in Bhisho and Oxton village outside Komani — has shared the screen with some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Viola Davis, Cate Blanchett, Ben Affleck, Amy Adams and Henry Cavill. “From the first moment I saw a TV screen, I fell in love with acting,” he said. He recalls one of the first films he watched, Inyakanyaka, which sparked his imagination, followed by the American Ninja franchise, which inspired his interest in martial arts. With having grown up in small towns and villages, however, opportunities were limited. There were no theatres or formal creative spaces, so he turned to school and church plays to develop his craft. An older family friend also introduced him to karate — something he once believed would help him become an action star. Ndyalvane’s path to acting was not immediate. After matriculating from ZK Matthews Senior Secondary School, he enrolled at the University of the Western Cape, where he completed a degree in linguistics and English. He then began taking acting courses in Cape Town and Johannesburg, gradually building his skills and exposure. “Subsequently, I was introduced to a variety of movies and shows, my favourite actors being Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, and Will Smith,” he said. After early roles in local productions such as Backstage and 7de Laan, he made the decision to pursue opportunities in the US. Rather than moving directly to Los Angeles, he settled in New Mexico, where he continued training, working with acting coaches and building his résumé through theatre productions and short films. His persistence paid off in 2012 when he landed a role in Voyage of Time, directed by Terrence Malick. He later appeared in Batman v Superman, where he worked alongside Affleck, Cavill and Adams. “When I finally made the move to Hollywood in 2016, I had already had a few premieres,” he said. When I am not on a project, I am learning skills that will better me as a human, as an artist and as a man More recently, he has appeared in the Apple TV series Imperfect Women, alongside Kerry Washington, and the film G20, where he worked closely with Viola Davis. “There’s a reason why Davis is the most awarded black female actor of all time,” he said. “She is a force of nature, a master of her craft and a very commanding presence. “Yet she is so kind, so gentle and generous as a person as well as a scene partner.” He said working with established actors was both inspiring and grounding. Despite their global stature, he said, they treated him as an equal on set. In G20, a political action thriller set during a global summit of world leaders, Ndyalvane plays a highly trained security operative caught in a co-ordinated attack. While international recognition has followed, he said awards were not his primary motivation. Though he would welcome the opportunity to win an Oscar one day, he remains focused on growth and purpose. “It is not my driving force or something I concern myself about. “I am chasing purpose, doing my absolute best at any given moment,” he said. “When I am not on a project, I am learning skills that will better me as a human, as an artist and as a man.” Click here to join the Daily Dispatch’s WhatsApp channel and get the latest news delivered straight to your phone Daily Dispatch

For the team, the trip was about more than just showcasing a film.

It was also about representing the Eastern Cape, a province they believe is rich in talent but often overlooked.

“Travelling to Lisbon was more than a milestone; it was a mission,” Mginqi said.

“We carried with us the pride of South Africa, and more importantly, the spirit of the Eastern Cape, a province rich in talent, culture and untold stories.”

Now back home, the team is focused on expanding SA Confidential into a 45-minute film.

The original version, created under strict time constraints, was only three minutes long.

“The film we created for the competition was only three minutes long, but it sparked something bigger,” Mginqi said

“We are now developing an extended version that will allow us to fully explore the story, deepen the characters and elevate the overall production quality.”

She said the next phase was not only about improving the film, but also about building a sustainable career in the industry.

“Expanding the film is not just about length, it’s about growth, both creatively and professionally,” she said.

“Our goal is to turn this project into a viable product that can generate income, while also reaching a wider audience.”

The three also hope their journey will inspire other young creatives, especially those from under-represented areas.

“We want young, aspiring filmmakers from the Eastern Cape and beyond to see that it is possible to start from where you are and compete on a global level,” Mginqi said.

“You don’t have to wait for opportunities to come to you. You can create them yourself.”

What began as a 48-hour challenge has now turned into a continuing vision for the trio, one that includes telling authentic African stories and building a name for themselves on the global stage.

Mginqi said: “This is not the end of our journey it is only the beginning.”

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