Khayelitsha RAW Festival: Celebrating South Africa’s emerging film talent

The third annual RAW Festival officially opened on Sunday evening, October 26, at Isivivane in Khayelitsha, attracting a crowd of artists, filmmakers, and community members eager to celebrate creativity.

This year’s theme, What Birth Demands, shines a spotlight on the resilience and innovation of South Africa’s new generation of storytellers.

Featuring more than 40 short films by up-and-coming South African filmmakers, the festival offers audiences an experience that captures the vibrancy, struggles, and triumphs of everyday life. It serves not only as a showcase of talent but also as a celebration of Khayelitsha’s growing artistic heartbeat.

According to festival organiser and film director Ayanda Msebenzi, the vision behind RAW is to nurture emerging filmmakers while reclaiming ownership of Khayelitsha’s narratives.

“The stories we often see about Khayelitsha are not told by us,” said Mr Msebenzi.

“There are so many young filmmakers here with powerful voices but no platform to share their work. We wanted to change that - to create a space for awareness, creativity, and collaboration. Our goal is to support one another and expose local talent not only to our community but to the world.”

Beyond its artistic impact, Mr Msebenzi said the RAW Festival contributes to Khayelitsha’s economic growth.

“This festival has attracted visitors from Egypt, Zambia, and Nigeria,” he said.

“They buy food from local vendors, stay in local guesthouses, and use our transport services. That means money is being spent here, helping to grow Khayelitsha’s economy. We want RAW to be a platform for both creative and economic development.”

Mr Msebenzi said the festival promises not only to inspire filmmakers and audiences alike but also to strengthen the cultural and creative foundation of Khayelitsha, proving that raw talent, when nurtured, can redefine the future of South African cinema.