The Brest Feeding Warrior scoops another award in France
THE BREASTFEEDING WARRIOR WINS THE THE DIGITAL WORKS AWARD IN FRANCE
International URTI Grand Prix for Author’s Documentary
Created in 1981 by Armand Lanoux, French writer, who was Vice-president of URTI, the International URTI Grand Prix for Author’s Documentary rewards documentaries which stand out by the technical and editorial quality, but also by the originality of the subject and of the expressed point of view. It favours the expression of the humanistic values of tolerance, mutual respect, peace, friendship and understanding between peoples. The programmes accepted in the competition are selected by international television channels. A jury establishes the list of the ten programmes which get the statute of finalists. These finalist programmes will benefit from a promotional support aiming to provide their global distribution. The competition is open to all the public and private television organisations as well as to the associations and institutions which devote themselves to the audiovisual, at the rate of two programmes by organisation at the most. The jury is made up of a panel of professionals from the whole world and presided by a personality known for his action in the fields of culture, entertainment, politics, science or media. The final jury was notably presided by Juliette Gréco, Fernando Arrabal, Javier Perez de Cuellar, Mario Vargas Llosa, Michel Petrucciani, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Jorge Semprun, Yves Coppens, Frédéric Mitterrand, Jean-Christophe Rufin, Laure
Adler, Gaston Kaboré, Vladimir Pozner, Dora Bouchoucha, Claude Lelouch, Youssou Ndour, Bernard Yerlès, Khadija Al Salami, Menelaos Karamaghiolis…
Every year, four distinctions are given out: the GRAND PRIX Arman Trophy, the Silver Medal, the Bronze Medal, the Martine Filippi Prize for Discovery and the Digital Works Award.
This year, URTI celebrates, with the support of UNESCO and the entirety of the international audiovisual organisations, its 44th International Grand Prix for Author’s Documentary – Arman Trophy.
The Breastfeeding Warrior was recognised with the Digital Works Award at the URTI Grand Prix which recognizes works that are predominantly distributed on the Internet. This award is part of the URTI
International Grand Prix for Auteur Documentaries, which celebrates original and innovative documentary films. The award is given to works that showcase significant digital presence, reflecting the growing importance of digital media in the arts and culture.
Sreeening of Room1008 in Soweto
The story of Matthews Mabalane came to light in the heart of Soweto at the iconic Soweto Theater for the Soweto International Film Festival. It was a appropriate location as Matthews Mabalane was a June16th activist. The Mabalane family and a few of Matthews former friends in the struggle attended the emotional screening.
DocLove screening of The Breastfeeding Warrior.
The Documentary Filmmakers Association of South Africa hosted a screening of the The Breastfeeding Warrior at the Bioscope cinema in Auckland Park, Johannesburg recently. The powerful screening was made extra special by the presence of Phila Portia Ndwande’s son Thabang who was about 3 months old when his mother was killed by the apartheid security police and Ayanda Dlodlo who was in the same MK Unit as Phila, MK name Zandie.
Former minister Dlodlo told the audience how she shared the same prison cell as Phila when they were arrested… All in the audience were moved by the testimony of the two and a audience member whose uncle recruited Phila into MK and housed her when she was on the run.
AFRICA FILMS FOR IMPACT FESTIVAL 2025 – FILMS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
Two of the documentaries from the Truth be Told series, Cocoon of Pain and Prisoner in my Mind have been jointly selected for the Africa Films for Impact Festival in Abuja, Nigeria.
Africa Films for Impact Festival (AFFIF) is committed to showcasing and amplifying the voices of human right and social justice films, while also building the capacity of emerging filmmakers in the production of such films, through her Films for Impact Fellowship program.
The theme for the 2025 edition of the festival is “Be The Change”. The festival will hold at the Silverbird Cinemas, 1161 Memorial Drive, by Musa Yar Adua Centre, Central Business District Abuja, while also providing global audience access to the festival virtually.
Through well-structured sessions, The 3-Day film festival will engage Short and Feature Narrative and Documentary Film screenings, Master Classes, Panel Discussions, Workshops, and Impact Awards, to address Social Themes across; Human Rights, Democracy, Accountability & Anti-Corruption, Human Trafficking, Gender Equity, Sexual & Gender Based
Violence, Climate Change, Drug Abuse & Drug Trafficking, Health, Peace-Security and Counter Terrorism, Digital Rights, and Technology as a tool for social change, among more.
Truth be Told series selected for Berlin
More recognition for the Truth be Told series around the world. The festival organisers had this to say … “This year we received an exceptional number of outstanding submissions from across the globe with over 50 countries, each bringing unique perspectives and storytelling
The selection process has been more competitive than ever, and the Truth be Told series stood out for its quality and emotional resonance!”
The French Embassy in South Africa and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) played host to a full house screening of Prisoner in My Mind last night at the Dibukafe in Braamfontein… The ‘national dialogue’ was intense.
Using documentary to inspire dialogue
The Nelson Mandela University at the George campus played host to 3 screenings from the Truth Be Told series and one screening of Murder in Paris. In conjunction with the National Heritage Council and the University the aim was get the students talking. Over the course of a few days they were totally engaged with the content, asked thought provoking questions and made profound comments.
The Universities feedback was very positive… “you have deeply touched many and have awakened a yearning for deeper reflection and engagement on the issues which the film’s raise”
The Breastfeeding Warrior screens at the Nelson Mandela University
The George campus of the Nelson Mandela University screened the first of a few episodes from the Truth Be Told series. Kicking off this screening and dialougue initiative with the University and the Nelson Mandela Foundation was The Breastfeeding Feeding Warrior. A younger audience of student leaders was able to be captivated by the content and stimulated into vigorous debate after the screening.
Mpumalanga International Film Festival 2025
Two documentaries from the Truth Be Told series scooped two awards at MIFF in Mbombela recently. The Bones of Memory received Best Director and Pathways To Light received Best Producer. The audience as ususual were again engrossed with the content followed by a vigorous Q&A.
African Justice Transitional Coalition Conference
The University of Cape Town’s political studies unit had a screening of The Breast-Feeding Warrior at a conference recently in the context of Memory and Education that concentrates on how societies remember histories of violence, which violence is remembered and the role of education in fostering engagement with different versions of the past.
The focus was on how to create pedagogical tools that promote
understanding of past atrocities while encouraging critical reflection, particularly among younger generations. Research will involve analyzing the potential role of archives, memorialization, and collaboration with educators. The documentary speaks directly to these issues. After the
screening participants were moved to comment that academic papers may highlight the issue but nothing prepares you for the visceral experience of watching a documentary that highlights an ordinary person or families experience of apartheid violence.
The Bones of Memory in the 2025 Summer School Course on Violent Histories and Repair
TRUTH BE TOLD will be screened with TE TA’I HOHO’A – The Image Of Sound at 7:30pm on Thursday 24 July as a Healing Through Music double feature in Stellenbosch.
Here is you trailer link:
https://youtu.be/OGfraR9CCB0?si=wtuAdTJk4q3rVXFG
And the full event trailer:
https://youtu.be/8Pti8GS8Mgo?si=sqrLcK6-8Kn88xfI
People can reserve tickets here: https://forms.gle/UiHmKrbYx81aCZ637
and all festival info at: http://www.flamedrop.com/sos
Official website: https://www.flamedrop.com/sos
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoundOnScreenFilmFest
FB Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1261459182051080
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/FlamedropProductions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terminatryx/
Quoting ems@eject.co.za
Prisoner in My Mind selected for another festival.
Prisoner In My Mind from the Truth Be Told series has been selected for the Forward Film and TV Festival in Birmingham, United Kingdom from the 16th to 20th July.
Cocoon of Pain screens at the Visions of Freedom Film Festival.
The festival celebrating the life of Robert Sobukwe held in Graaff Reinet was the perfect setting to honour Topsy Madaka and his family. The doccie resonated profoundly with a big contingent from Cradock who were very familiar with the name Topsy, the infamous Gideon Niewoudt and Post Chalmers just 30 kms from Cradock where Topsy and Simpiwo Mtimkulu were killed.
The Breastfeeding Warrior to feature at another film festival
The story of Phila Portia Ndwande is gaining a lot of attention. The Breastfeeding Warrior has recently been selected for the Africa USA International Film Festival for their Cannes Riviera D’Day edition to be held at the Movie Theater of Cinema des Arcades from the 7th of August.
Another selection for Pathways to Light
Pathways to Light has been selected for the Sound On Screen Music Film Festival in Cape Town on the 24th to 27th July 2025.
Pathways to Light and The Bones of Memory have been selected for the Mpumalanga International Film Festival running from the 5th to 10th August.
The Breastfeeding Warrior to screen in Italy
Ilan lax a former TRC commissioner will give a talk at the University of Bologna’s Department of Legal studies mainly to Masters and PhD students under the title.. The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Expectations and Reality-Transitional Justice 30 years later. He will use The Breastfeeding Warrior to kick of a detailed conversation.
Poem inspired by Truth Be Told series
2nd Towards Critical Apartheid Studies Conference at Wits University
The Breastfeeding Warrior was invited to screen under the title… The Body is Present Rethinking the Afterlives of Violence and Legacies of Oppression at Wits University recently. The audience was totally captivated by the content and a engaging and captivating Q and A session followed.
SABC+ Truth Be Told – Season Season 01
https://sabc-plus.com/show/236521/Truth-Be-Told
The Truth Be Told series currently on Sabc Plus
For the month of April for Freedom month the series can be viewed for free on the Sabc online platform, SABC Plus… All over the world as it is not geo blocked… Watch all epsidoes back to back in your own time at your convenience.
Prisoner in My Mind screens at Constitutional Hill on the 21st of March for the Human Rights Film Festival
On Human Rights Day a full house audience engaged wholeheartedly with Tshidiso Motasi’s journey through trans generational trauma and how he copes. A vigorous Q & A session ensued after the screening and the audience was very moved by what Tshidiso had to say.
The Breastfeeding Warrior screens at the Sharpeville Human Rights Film Festival
On this auspicious occasion The Breastfeeding Warrior resonated with a predominantly young audience who questioned why they knew so much about Nelson Mandela and nothing about Phila Portia Ndwande, some said they were gripped from the beginning to the end of her story as told by her son Thabang Mabuza.
The Breastfeeding Warrior to open the Sharpeville Human Rights Film Festival
On Tuesday 18th of March at 1pm at the Vereeniging Civic Centre The Breastfeeding Warrior from the Truth Be Told series highlights why we celebrate Human Rights Day, don’t miss it.
Prisoner in Mind selected for the Hollywood African Film Festival in Cape Town-11th to 14th April
We are proud to take part in our 2nd HACC festival, the first was last
year in Los Angeles, Hollywood when Murder in Paris was selected in
2024.
Prisoner In My Mind Selected for Human Rights Film
Festival-Constitutional Hill-21st March, 4pm
To mark Human Rights day, Prisoner in My Mind was selected to screen at this important festival at Constitutional Hill on Friday 21st March at 4pm. The main protaganist of the story Tshidiso Motasi will be in attendance to take part in the Q and A that follows thew screening.
Bones of Memory screens in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
An episode from the Truth Be Told series called The Bones of Memory screened at the South African Coalition for Transitional Justice (SACTJ) two-day National Reparations workshop titled The Way Forward for Victims and Survivors… The screening cut to the bone.
Richard & Irene Motasi by Michael Schmidt
It was late on a sweltering summer evening at Temba on the outskirts of Hammanskraal north of Pretoria in the then Bophuthatswana bantustan on Tuesday December 1, 1987 when death came knocking at the door of Tumelo and Busisiwe Motasi. Continue reading by downloading the article below.
The BreastFeeding Warrior-Phila Portia Ndwandwe available on audio description.
Shazacin Accessible Media is a company who through the skillful use of
words describe what we see to persons who cannot see.
Audio description is an art form and an access tool. It is the visual
made verbal. Producer and director of the documentary Enver Samuel
thanked KZN Film for commissioning this important initiative that will
bring more accessibility to the documentary.
Prisoner in My Mind
Prisoner in My Mind has been selected as a semi-finalist at the Melbourne International Film Festival to be held from the 7th to the 24th of August. The festival is one of the leading film festivals in Australia.
Another award for The Breastfeeding Warrior
Freedom Park Screening
Cocoon of Pain from the Truth Be Told series screened at Freedom Park on the Day of Reconciliation at their open-air venue adjacent to the Wall of Names to mark this historic public holiday. The documentary looks at reconciliation through the eyes of Amandla Madaka who meets the son of his father’s killer. The two engage in a powerful discussion of trans-generational trauma from both sides.
Headline… Cocoon of Pain screens in Graaf Reinet
Cocoon of Pain from the Truth Be Told series screened in Graaf Reinet on the 5th of December which marked the 100th birthday celebration of the icon Robert Sobukwe’s life at the Visionaries of Freedom festival. It was apt that the festival was held in Sobukwe’s home town, the packed audience members engaged with the content with dramatic and emotional responses at the Q&A session after the screening.
Four selections for Truth Be Told in Ekurhuleni
The Breastfeeding Warrior, Cocoon of Pain, Pathways to Light and Prisoner in My Mind have all been selected for a local festival in Johannesburg from the 19th of December.
Three selections for Truth Be Told in Nigeria.
Cocoon of Pain, Pathways to Light and The Bones of Memory have been selected for the Africa International Human Rights Film Festival in Lagos, Nigeria from the 8th of the December.
Nelson Mandela Foundation hosts Truth Be Told series relaunch on Sabc2
Powerful evening at the Nelson Mandela foundation last night for invited guests and family members from the series to have a platform to chat about what justice means to them… 1st episode… Sunday 3rd November at 9:30 on sabc2… Was good to see the minister of justice in her personal capacity take an interest in the series.
THE BREASTFEEDING WARRIOR-Rustenburg Film Festival opening night film-6th November,2024.
A Mother’s Love. A Son’s Quest. A Nation’s Story.
Imagine growing up with only memories of a mother who gave her life for freedom. For Thabang Mabuza, this isn’t just a story – it’s his life. His mother, Phila Portia Ndwandwe, was a fierce anti-apartheid activist, tortured and murdered in 1988 when Thabang was just 5 months old. Now, at 34, he calls her his “Breastfeeding Warrior.”
But questions still haunt him. Why was she taken? Was her sacrifice worth the pain? Thabang’s search for answers takes him deep into the past – into the heart of South Africa’s fight for liberation. Through moving archival footage, including scenes from the exhumation of Phila’s grave, this documentary allows Phila’s story to “speak” from beyond the grave, her legacy echoing through generations.
Directed by Enver Samuel, an award-winning filmmaker known for impactful social justice documentaries, The Breastfeeding Warrior explores themes of reconciliation, trauma, and forgiveness. Prepare to be moved as Thabang pieces together the fragments of his mother’s life – and the profound impact her death still has on him and the nation.
Cocoon of Pain screens at University of Cape Town
Over 20 Master’s students at UCT’s Department of Historical Studies
watched Cocoon of Pain for their course on Memory, Identity and History
led by Associate Professor Sean Field a expert on intergenerational
family dynamics and trauma. Director of the documentary Enver Samuel
joined in from Johannesburg for the Q&A.
Cocoon of Pain was screened at the Isivivana Centre in Khayelitsha, Cape Town recently with thought provoking interaction from the audience.
Cocoon of Pain screens in Stellenbosch
The Institute for Healing of Memories requested to screen the doccie for
a recent workshop that involved local and international participants who
were both engaged and moved by the content.
“these untold stories are very important and need to be told”
Pathways to Light screens in Cape Town
A private intimate screening was held in Cape Town recently combined with a music set where Mandla Mlangeni played his trumpet with pianist Afrika Mkhize.
Viewers comments- “thank you for the storytelling and the space for healing”
Cocoon of Pain screens in Makhanda, Eastern Cape
Cocoon of Pain from the Truth Be Told series screened at the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University to the 4th year master’s students who were totally gripped by the story of Topsy Madaka and his son Amanda.
Prisoner In My Mind selected for the Atalanta Movie Awards in the USA.
Prisoner in My Mind scoops the best documentary award at the Atlanta Movie Awards
The documentary from the Truth Be Told series looks at the tragic state sanctioned killing of Richard Motasi and the collateral damage killing of his wife Irene. It is told through the eyes of their only son Tsidiso. A 5 year old at the time, Tsidiso was in the family home when his parents were killed. Today as a forty-year-old he gives a visceral account of witnessing and living with this trauma.
Pathways to Light screens at the South African Association for Jazz Education (SAJE) conference at Wits University.
Pathways to Light from the Truth Be Told series tells the story of jazz musician Mandla Mlangeni’s path to coming emerging put of an abyss from the trauma of his father’s horrific death at the hands of the notorious apartheid security police. SAJE screened the documentary under the title “Jazz narratives into the next democratic era”. In the doccie, Mandla narrates how he uses music and by extension his trumpet to heal from the trauma. A thought-provoking question and answer session followed the screening.
Cocoon of Pain has been selected for the Africa Human Rights Festival in Johannesburg. The festivals mission is to use film to generate robust debate, empower African citizens, raise awareness and promote respect for human rights across Africa.
The Bones of Memory has been selected for the Kotka Human Rights Film Festival in Finland. The festival exclusively presents films that delve into shedding light on human rights issues through the powerful medium of cinema.
The Bones Of Memory screens at The Institute of Justice and
Reconciliation in Cape Twon
The Bones of Memory the story of Ntombi Kubheka as told by her daughter Thuli stirred a thought-provoking debate after its recent screening in Cape Town. Former Justice Albie Sachs was moved to say that the documentary for him was a work of art and did justice to both Ntombi and Thuli.
The Breastfeeding Warrior wins the Simon Sabela Award for best short documentary in Durban.
Well done Enver. You and the team really deserve this and every other accolade. These stories are so important for allowing future generations an insight into where we have come from. “The first step in liquidating a people is to erase its memory. Destroy its books, its culture, its history. Then have somebody write new books, manufacture a new culture, invent a new history. Before long that nation will begin to forget what it is and what it was… The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.” Milan Kundera – Thanks for keeping that struggle alive.
Ilan Lax, former TRC Commissioner
More good news for the Truth Be Told Series
The Rustenburg Film Festival has nominated two of the doccies from the series for the below categories…
Selected from 1102 films submitted from 55 countries from all over the world. 289 were pre-selected and 97 have been selected from 22 countries. The festival will be held in Rustenburg in September 25th- 29th September.
BEST DIRECTOR IN A DOCUMENTARY
Enver Michael Samuel The Breastfeeding Warrior-Phila Portia Ndwandwe
Nominee
Enver Michael Samuel Truth Be Told-Bheki Mlangeni -Pathways To Light
Nominee
BEST DOCUMENTARY
South Africa The Breastfeeding Warrior-Phila Portia Ndwandwe Nominee
Screening of Room 1008 in Jabavu, Soweto to celebrate June 16th. The story of Matthew’s Mabalane a former student activist who fled into exile and was subsequently killed while in detention in 1977. His brother Steve was in attendance explaining how Matthews death has affected thier family.
Two of the documentaries from the Truth Be Told series … The Breastfeeding Warrior and The Bones of Memory have been nominated for Best Short Documentary for the Simon Sabela Awards which will be announced on the 20th of July. We are excited at the recognition the series is generating.
TRUTH BE TOLD 