Two Eastern Cape female filmmakers have returned home with renewed inspiration and global recognition after showcasing their award-winning film at an international festival in Portugal.
The Eastern Cape Independent Filmmakers (ECIF), led by producer Elona Mginqi and scriptwriter Muso Mzila, represented SA at the Filmapalooza Festival in Lisbon.
The duo’s participation at the global stage followed a standout performance at the 2025 48-Hour Film Challenge in Makhanda, where their film SA Confidential earned top honours, including best film, best director and best writing.
For the team, travelling to Lisbon marked more than just an international trip, it was the realisation of a dream and a powerful moment of representation.
“My first reaction was a mix of pride and disbelief. Seeing our work on an international screen, representing where we come from, was incredibly emotional,” Mginqi said.
“It felt like a moment of validation for all the hard work we have put in.”
SA Confidential which is a film about a corrupt detective who is a serial killer but poses as a good citizen trying to catch the killer. The killer probes the gruesome crimes alongside a fellow detective who later realises that the partner is a culprit.
At the festival, the movie was screened alongside some of the best entries from around the world, and resonated strongly with audiences.
“The response was overwhelmingly positive. What stood out most was how people from different cultures connected with the story.
“It reminded me that authentic storytelling can transcend borders.”
Mzila, a passionate scriptwriter, described the experience as impactful.
“Seeing our film being acknowledged on the global stage was surreal,” she said.
The film’s writing, including the use of isiXhosa, drew particular attention from international audiences.
“We received such positive critique from many different filmmakers from other countries about the plot and dialogue of the film, as some of it is in isiXhosa, something I was told was quite intriguing,” Mzila said.
The experience proved to be both humbling and inspiring, offering valuable lessons and insight into global filmmaking standards.
“The biggest lesson was the importance of storytelling clarity and originality.
“Being exposed to films from around the world showed me how powerful simple, well-told stories can be,” Mginqi said.
Mzila said the exposure has expanded her creative outlook.
“My mind has been opened to the many different ways through which you can convey a message.
“The different creative writing styles that go into filmmaking are definitely things I’d like to explore in my own writing,” she said.
Beyond the screenings, the festival also created space for meaningful engagement with other creatives.
“A standout moment was engaging in conversations with filmmakers from different countries after the screenings.
“Hearing their perspectives on our film and sharing ideas was incredibly inspiring,” Mginqi said.
Mzila highlighted the importance of the experience and its broader message.
“Nothing’s really out of your reach.
“You create the opportunities you would like to have; you look beyond the horizon and reach into it to see there’s a whole world out there for you to make your mark,” she said.
Mzila said the connections they made are already opening doors.
“We had the opportunity to network and that’s been great because now we get to be in community with filmmakers around the world, and we will definitely be looking at project collaborations,” she said.
“Right now, we want to make something centred around our African heritage. It’s so important that in everything you do, to be grounded in your heritage and proudly show your culture to the world,” she said.
Mginqi believes the achievement sends a strong message about the potential of Eastern Cape filmmakers.
“It’s a powerful statement that talent from the Eastern Cape can compete on a global stage. This is not the end of our journey, it is only the beginning,” Mginqi said.
