Silent Rebellion Wins Big at Joburg Film Festival 2026

The 2026 Joburg Film Festival concluded with a glittering awards ceremony celebrating outstanding global and African filmmaking.

The standout winner of the night was Silent Rebellion (À bras-le-corps), directed by Marie‑Elsa Sgualdo, which secured the Best Feature Film award.

The ceremony took place at Theatre on the Square on 7 March, where winners received the prestigious Nguni Horn award across multiple categories.

Nomsa Philiso, Director of Content for General Entertainment at MultiChoice Group, congratulated the filmmakers and industry professionals recognised during the festival.

“We’re proud to support what has been a fantastic showcase of masterful storytelling and craftsmanship,” she said.

A powerful story set during World War II

Set in Switzerland during World War II, Silent Rebellion explores the story of Emma, a young woman navigating life in a deeply conservative rural community in 1943.

After becoming pregnant following a violent assault, Emma must confront the rigid social and religious expectations imposed on women while searching for independence and dignity in a restrictive society.

The film stars Lila Gueneau, Sasha Gravat Harsch and Cyril Metzgerbout.

It stood out among nearly 700 global submissions and also received a special mention for Gueneau’s performance.

African storytelling takes centre stage

The festival jury praised the strength and diversity of storytelling showcased this year.

Juror Sia Stewart highlighted the importance of the platform in promoting global and African creative voices.

“Festivals like this play a critical role in highlighting the depth and beauty of African storytelling while creating a platform for artists from around the world to share their work,” Stewart said.

The Best African Feature Film award went to Variations on a Theme, recognising the continued rise of African cinema on the global stage.

Celebrating cinematic craft

Festival founder and executive director Tim Mangwedi emphasised that the 2026 edition aimed to celebrate the artisans behind filmmaking.

“Silent Rebellion reflects the perfect pairing of an engaging narrative with striking cinematography,” Mangwedi said.

The festival showcased more than 100 films spanning drama, comedy, horror and science fiction.

Joburg Film Festival 2026 winners

• Best Feature Film – Silent Rebellion
• Best African Film – Variations on a Theme
• Best Cinematography – Silent Rebellion
• Best Edit – Broken Voices
• Best Documentary – Let Them Be Seen
• Best Short Film – Stero
• Best Student Film – The Silent Inheritance
• Young Voices Competition Winner – Umxoxiso
• Special Mention – Lila Gueneau (Silent Rebellion)
• Special Recognition – Harriet Gavshon

The festival concluded on 8 March with the premiere of The Trek, a horror western directed by Meekaeel Adam.

Supported by MultiChoice Group, the event once again positioned Johannesburg as a major hub for international and African cinema.

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