AFDA Durban is proud to celebrate the success of honours graduation film Umtsha Wendoda, which has been selected to screen in competition at the 2026 Mpumalanga International Film Festival, one of South Africa’s growing platforms for African storytelling and emerging cinematic voices.
Created as a fourth-year graduation film in AFDA’s 2025 Graduation Festival, Umtsha Wendoda is a lyrical surrealist short film that explores themes of youth, memory, masculinity and emotional transition. Running at 24 minutes, the film follows two young boys returning to a waterfall they once visited during childhood. As they retrace familiar ground, carefree memories begin to collide with the realities of growing up, accepting fate and discovering one’s place in the world.
Written by Hannah Veronica and co-directed by Hannah Veronica and Nonala Zondi, the film demonstrates the poetic visual storytelling and deeply personal narratives emerging from AFDA Durban’s next generation of filmmakers. Through its atmospheric imagery and reflective tone, Umtsha Wendoda captures the emotional complexity of coming of age while drawing on themes of identity, tradition and transformation.
” We are so incredibly honoured to be selected and to be screening at MIFF. We feel very blessed and grateful for the opportunity to share our hard work and love for KZN with audiences and, hopefully, inspire others to invest in their craft and home. Overall, we hope that when audiences watch our film, they can really find a reflection of themselves, experience the beauty of emotion and connection. Thank you to MIFF for this moment! ” says writer and co-director Hannah Veronica.
The selection marks another milestone for AFDA students and alumni whose work continues to gain recognition at leading local and international film festivals. The Mpumalanga International Film Festival has increasingly become an important platform celebrating African cinema, showcasing films that challenge perspectives and amplify authentic voices from across the continent.
AFDA, remains committed to developing industry-ready creators whose stories resonate both locally and globally. The recognition of Umtsha Wendoda reflects the institution’s continued focus on nurturing bold, original storytelling and empowering young filmmakers to create meaningful work that contributes to the evolving African film landscape.
The film’s achievement stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit and creative excellence fostered within AFDA Durban, further cementing the institution’s reputation as a leading force in the creative economy.