Lights, camera, collaboration: the missing link revealed at the Indian Film Festival South Africa

For years, my friends teased me about going to the movies alone.

- Ané-Sonet Human, Head of Investor Communications, Decusatio

However, for me, cinema was never just about a fun night out, it was my first window into the world of storytelling, long before I built a career in communications and public relations (PR). Then came the pandemic, and like many, I drifted away from the big screen, replacing movie nights with endless streaming sessions.

That changed on International Women's Day, when I found myself back in a cinema seat at the Indian Film Festival South Africa (IFFSA), held at Montecasino from 7 to 9 March. As Pink, a powerful film about gender and justice unfolded on screen, I was reminded of cinema's unique ability to spark reflection, bridge cultures, and, most importantly, shape public narratives.

What struck me even more than the film was the unrealised potential between two creative economies: India and South Africa.

IFFSA was more than a celebration of Indian cinema. As High Commissioner Prabhat Kumar aptly noted, the festival aimed to illuminate opportunities through a cinematic lens, serving as a platform for cross-cultural collaboration and investment. Hosted by the Indian High Commission in South Africa and the Consul General of India in Johannesburg, the festival moved beyond the red or rather, purple carpet, delivering a soft power masterclass through thought-provoking panel discussions and strategic dialogue on the future of film, technology and global content creation.

A particularly distinctive moment came with the screening of isiZulu-dubbed Indian films, including Antardwand and Dostojee, a powerful gesture of cultural bridging and inclusivity.

Consul General of India in Johannesburg, Mahesh Kumar said that the film festival was organised primarily to seek collaboration between our creative industries and added that they would endeavour to make the film festival an annual affair.