The Joburg Film Festival (JFF) returns with its vibrant industry programme JBX (Joburg Xchange) from 4 – 6 March 2026, hosted at the prestigious Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. JBX serves as the festival’s industry hub, bringing together creators, innovators, and professionals from across the African continent and beyond to engage in inspiring conversations, panels, and deep-dive sessions about storytelling, craft, and the business of cinema.
This year’s JBX lineup features an impressive array of alumni speakers and moderators who are shaping African screen industries, from award-winning directors and composers to executive leaders and celebrated creatives. Below are the highlights of their sessions and what festival attendees can look forward to.
Adze Ugah
*Session: Behind the Legend: Inside South Africa’s Biggest Series, Shaka iLembe
5 March | 2:00 pm – 2:50 pm
Adze Ugah is an award-winning filmmaker, director, and writer whose body of work spans film, television, and documentary in both African and international markets. He began his filmmaking journey with a Diploma in Motion Picture Production from the National Film Institute, Jos, Nigeria, and later completed an Honours degree in Motion Picture Medium at AFDA in Johannesburg. At JBX, Ugah will take audiences behind the epic storytelling and production of Shaka iLembe, unraveling what it takes to deliver one of South Africa’s most ambitious series.
Alastair Orr
Session: The Future of the Blockbuster: Genre Storytelling and Africa’s Global Screen Potential
4 March | 1:00 pm – 1:50 pm
South African filmmaker and entrepreneur Alastair Orr is best known as the writer-director of Hunting Jessica Brok and as CEO of The Refinery, a leading post-production and VFX facility with studios in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Under his leadership, The Refinery has become a globally respected finishing house serving major studios and streamers. In his JBX session, Orr explores how genre filmmaking – from action to sci-fi and fantasy – can accelerate the global prominence of African storytelling.
Edward George King
Session: Accessibility of Film’s Invisible Dimension
4 March | 4:00 pm – 4:50 pm
Edward George King is an accomplished film composer, music producer, and pianist whose passion for cinematic scoring led him to establish his post-production studio in Cape Town. With a rich portfolio spanning documentaries, series, and commercials, King’s session will focus on the “invisible” art of film music, highlighting how soundscapes and scores deepen emotional connection and accessibility in cinema.
Flavia Motsisi
Flavia Motsisi is an International Emmy–nominated creative executive and Forbes Africa–recognised leader with over a decade of experience shaping some of South Africa’s most impactful television series. Her influence runs across development, commissioning, and production, including titles like Shaka iLembe, Gomora, The River, and others. Motsisi’s work embodies creative leadership that champions culturally resonant stories in mainstream content.
Jordy Sank
Session: Frame by Frame: In Focus with Leading DOPs and Directors
6 March | 1:00 pm – 1:50 pm
Jordy Sank is a two-time South African Film and Television Award winner best known for producing the acclaimed feature documentary I Am Here (2021). Recognised as one of South Africa’s most promising creative voices, Sank’s session focuses on visual storytelling and collaboration between cinematographers (DOPs) and directors, a crucial conversation for filmmakers focused on elevating visuals in contemporary cinema.
Luke Rous
Session: Assessing the Value of the South African Film and TV Incentive Programme
4 March | 11:00 am – 11:50 am
Actor, writer, and producer Luke Rous brings over 17 years of industry experience to JBX, including co-ownership of Rous House Productions and the creation of hundreds of hours of prime-time content. Leveraging his wide-ranging background, Rous will explore how South Africa’s incentive programmes can continue to grow local production capacity and generate international investment.
Natalie Haarhoff & Nosipho Dumisa-Ngoasheng
Session: Evolution of South African Storytelling
4 March | 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm
Natalie Haarhoff is an award-winning director and cinematographer, known for her dual-perspective mastery behind and in front of the camera. Alongside her is Nosipho Dumisa-Ngoasheng an internationally recognised director, writer, showrunner, and Co-Founder of Gambit Films. Together, they’ll discuss how South African storytelling continues to evolve in form, style, and global relevance.
Vusi Africa
Vusi Africa is a visionary filmmaker whose debut Letters of Hope earned major accolades including Best Emerging Filmmaker and Best Artistic Bravery Awards. His work exemplifies bold, fearless narratives that push South African cinema into new creative territories.
Cait Pansegrouw (Juror)
Cait Pansegrouw serves as a juror at this year’s festival and is a multi-award-winning producer whose films have premiered at Sundance, Berlinale, and Venice. She produced Inxeba (The Wound), South Africa’s 2018 Academy Awards entry and This Is Not A Burial, It’s A Resurrection, which won the Jury Prize for Visionary Filmmaking at Sundance 2020. Pansegrouw co-founded the Realness Institute and continues to mentor emerging African filmmakers on the global stage.
The JBX Joburg Film Festival is one of Africa’s premier cinema events, celebrating storytelling excellence and providing a platform for deep industry engagement. From panel discussions and masterclasses to networking and deal-making, JBX is designed to strengthen the future of film across the continent and beyond.
Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker or an established creator, this year’s alumni speakers offer invaluable insights into the craft, culture, and business that shape contemporary cinema.