New queer drama set in apartheid South Africa starts filming in Cape Town

Venecia Valentine

Cape Town is preparing to host production on the Untitled Granny Lee Film, a new international queer drama inspired by the life and mythology surrounding transgender icon Granny Lee.

The film, set against the backdrop of 1980s Johannesburg during apartheid, has announced a standout international cast led by Maria Doyle Kennedy, South African activist and performer Simone Heradien, and Québec actor Paul Ahmarani.

Filming is scheduled to take place in Cape Town between late May and June.

A story rooted in grief, identity and resilience

The film follows Lee, a fiercely independent trans disco queen whose role as a mother is challenged following the death of the son she raised.

As Billy’s estranged biological mother returns hoping for reconciliation, unresolved grief, family tensions and buried truths begin surfacing against the political and emotional realities of apartheid South Africa.

Simone Heradien takes on the lead role as Lee, while Maria Doyle Kennedy stars as Irene, Billy’s biological mother. Paul Ahmarani will portray Pat, Lee’s closest friend and confidant.

The supporting cast includes:

• Oliver Carnegie as Billy
• Ntando Mtsi as Godfrey
• Chioma Umeala as Bessie
• Will Chandler as Neo
• and Louw Venter as Frank

Directed by acclaimed father-and-son duo

The project is directed by father-and-son collaborators Ian Gabriel and Gabe Gabriel.

The pair previously worked together on Runs in the Family, which premiered globally on Netflix in 2023 and later earned a GLAAD Media Award nomination.

Gabe Gabriel also penned the screenplay for the new production.

International co-production marks industry milestone

The Untitled Granny Lee Film is a Canada-South Africa-Ireland co-production and is notably the first project to move ahead under the newly updated Canada-South Africa co-production treaty.

Production companies involved include:

• Fae Pictures
• Périphéria
• Giant Films
• Wolflight Films
• and Pale Rebel Productions

The film has received backing from:

• Telefilm Canada
• Eurimages
• SODEC
• Screen Ireland
• and National Film and Video Foundation

Additional support came from:

• Film Independent
• Durban FilmMart Institute
• the Junior Entertainment Talent Slate
• and the Inside Out Finance Forum

Cast reflects on the film’s emotional themes

Maria Doyle Kennedy described the story as especially relevant in today’s social climate.

“The world feels very precariously balanced right now. It is the time to acknowledge the wrongs of the past in order not to carry them into the future,” she said.

For Simone Heradien, the role carries deep personal meaning.

“For me, this film is not only my big-screen debut, but a deeply personal celebration of trans visibility, legacy, and love,” she said.

“Stepping into this role honours the resilience, glamour, and defiance of LGBTIQ+ lives too often erased from history.”

Paul Ahmarani added that being part of the production was an honour.

“I’m so grateful to be part of this deeply human film,” he said.

“Helping bring this chapter of South African history to light is a true privilege.”

Experienced creative team joins production

The wider creative team includes:

• cinematographer François Messier-Rheault
• production designer Sally White
• editor Xi Feng
• and composer Olivier Alary

Together, the production aims to blend intimate storytelling with historical reflection while spotlighting queer identities often overlooked in mainstream cinema.

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