BY EPN Reporter
MBABANE – Eswatini Positive News (EPN) videographer and rising filmmaker Mxolisi Hlophe delivered a standout performance at the 5th Edition of the EU Eswatini Film Festival after emerging as the overall winner of the Smartphone Short Film Competition, walking away with E4 000 for his compelling short film titled What Holds Us.
The achievement placed Hlophe among the country’s promising young creatives and highlighted the growing influence of local filmmakers who continue to use storytelling to inspire, educate and entertain audiences. His victory was announced during the glamorous opening night of the four-day EU Eswatini Film Festival held at the Eswatini Theatre Club in Mbabane on Wednesday evening. The event attracted filmmakers, diplomats, actors, producers, creatives and film enthusiasts from across the country who gathered to celebrate the rapid growth of Eswatini’s creative industry.
Hlophe’s production, What Holds Us, stood out among several entries submitted for the competition, impressing judges with its storytelling, creativity and execution despite being filmed using a smartphone. The competition forms part of the festival’s efforts to empower emerging filmmakers and encourage young creatives to tell authentic African stories using accessible technology.
The EPN videographer’s success marks another positive milestone for local content creators who continue to prove that talent and determination can overcome limited resources and production challenges.
Speaking shortly after receiving his award, an emotional Hlophe admitted that producing the film had not been an easy process. He explained that the team encountered several setbacks during production, including time constraints and limited resources, but remained committed to completing the project.
“We faced time limitation issues, limited resources and things not moving according to plan,” said Hlophe.
Despite the challenges, the filmmaker persevered and ultimately turned the obstacles into motivation, producing a film that resonated strongly with both judges and audiences.
The competition also showcased other talented local filmmakers. Siphosethu Sibandze secured second place with a short film titled For Mom, earning E3 000, while Vusi Lange claimed third position with Life Changer and walked away with E2 000.
Lange reflected on the demanding nature of creating a meaningful story within the competition’s strict format, noting that filmmakers had to maximise every second on screen.
“Three minutes is a really short period, so you have to prioritise while recording and mostly focus on the theme,” he said.
Beyond the awards ceremony, the opening night featured screenings of locally produced films Wake Up and Khumbini, both of which received enthusiastic reactions from the audience. The films sparked conversations around storytelling, mental wellness, freedom and the importance of believing in local talent.
Filmmakers behind Wake Up, including Ntsika Ngcamphalala, Grixxly, Michelle Mashabane, Sam Ihwala and Jan Seynaeve, shared insights into the inspiration behind the production. They explained that the film explores themes of personal freedom and the internal mental struggles that often prevent people from living fully and pursuing their dreams.
Meanwhile, filmmaker Siphosethu Sibandze revealed that Khumbini was inspired by recognising the potential within his team and having confidence in local creatives.
Speaking on behalf of EU Ambassador Karsten Mecklenburg, Political Counselor José Becerra commended Eswatini’s growing creative sector and praised local filmmakers for their innovation and storytelling abilities. He said Eswatini possesses immense creative talent that deserves support and greater exposure through platforms such as the EU Eswatini Film Festival.
Alliance Française de Mbabane Director and French Honorary Consul Florent Brossollet also highlighted the importance of investing in the arts as Alliance Française celebrates 40 years of promoting arts, culture and creativity in Eswatini. He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting local creatives and creating opportunities for filmmakers to showcase their work internationally.
The EU Eswatini Film Festival, which continues until May 16 at the Eswatini Theatre Club in Mbabane, has become one of the country’s leading creative platforms, bringing together local and international productions while nurturing the next generation of storytellers.
