Sydney South African Film Festival

Following on from a successful 2020 virtual Festival, the Sydney South African Film Festival (SSAFF) presents SSAFF On Demand, a curated selection films from the 2019 and 2020 SSAFF Festival program available for rent online from July 3-12.

Featuring 16 films, SSAFF On Demand offers audiences access to some of South Africa’s most exciting, challenging and award-winning contemporary cinema. The films selected reflect South Africa’s diverse population, rich tradition of struggle for democracy and equality, and complex political and economic reality.

All ticket proceeds go to supporting Education without Borders in programs that assist young South Africans in some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities.

Films featured in the line-up include:

Liyana, a vibrant and moving family film where oral storytelling and innovative animation fuse to illustrate the plight of Swazi AIDS orphans. An award-winning hybrid documentary, Liyana is a true crowd pleaser that makes the therapeutic value of storytelling fully felt.

Beyond Moving, an uplifting documentary about Siphe November, a gifted ballet dancer discovered as a boy in the townships. A Billy Elliot story with a South African twist, the film follows Siphe as he trains with Canada’s National Ballet School and ultimately secures a premier position in the world of professional ballet.

Johnny Clegg, The White Zulu is an adventure into the life of one of South Africa’s most exceptional musicians. Apartheid wanted to separate blacks from whites, Johnny Clegg brought them together by mixing English and Zulu, African rhythms and rock.

Glory Game: The Joost van der Westhuizen Story follows the life of Joost van der Westhuizen, from his rise through the ranks to be selected as a Springbok, to his fight with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), the most severe case of MND, with only one prognosis, death. A compelling tale of redemption, set against the backdrop of sporting glory, this is the story of a modern day warrior forced to face his own human frailty.

Beyond the River is inspired by the true story of two men from opposite sides of the track, one who is escaping a life of crime and the other escaping heartache. The duo enter the gruelling Dusi canoe marathon hoping to heal their nation’s wounds.

As well as access to watch the films, tickets also get you exclusive content including filmmaker question and answer sessions, interviews with the directors and more.

Audiences can get access to the complete library of 16 films for just $60.

Individual films are available to rent for $8.00 each and are available for the 3-12 July, for 24 hour rental.

Tickets can be booked online at www.ssaff.org.au