The Joburg Film Festival Returns to Champion the Craft Behind African Cinema Through JBX Talks

A Celebration of Creativity, Industry Innovation and the Art of Storytelling

In partnership with MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, the Joburg Film Festival (JFF) embraces the theme Feel the Frame as it enters its 8th edition from 3 to 8 March 2026. Featuring over 100 screenings and attracting approximately 10,000 audience members, the festival continues its mission to spotlight exceptional cinema from the African continent and around the globe. Festivalgoers can expect exclusive premieres, along with access to workshops, panels, networking spaces, and industry hubs, in an unforgettable celebration of creativity.

Guided by the theme Feel the Frame, this year’s Joburg Film Festival proudly brings into focus the many roles that come together to bring bold storytelling to life. By platforming the voices of actors, directors, cinematographers, editors, writers, producers and designers, JFF promotes a deeper appreciation for the talent behind the frame and the craftspeople who transform ideas into exceptional films. Running alongside a carefully curated selection of feature and short films, Joburg Xchange (JBX) presents a robust programme of panel discussions, masterclasses, and networking sessions designed to offer valuable insights for seasoned professionals and cinephiles alike.

JBX Talks 2026 was designed to feel the frame from the inside out to examine the craft, collaboration and decision-making that turn ideas into films,” says Taryn Joffe, Festival Manager of the Joburg Film Festival. “It offers filmmakers and industry professionals a space to interrogate process, share expertise and engage critically with how stories are developed, produced and positioned for audiences. By understanding film as a deeply sensory experience and positioning craft and collaboration at the core of JBX Talks this year, the programme strengthens professional pathways and supports African cinema’s continued presence on the global stage.

Boasting a total of 24 illuminating sessions, the JBX Talks programme is divided into three distinct formats, anchored by panels, in-conversations and masterclasses led by established practitioners. Film & TV Executive, Ozi Menakaya hosts the highly anticipated masterclass on How to Build the Perfect Pitch and Deliver It Like a Pro. Adrien Roberts, Fashion Consultant and the  International Director of Education at Accademia Costume & Moda, mirrors the exchange between cinema and fashion in his masterclass, From Script to Screen- How Films Set Fashion Codes. Leading the conversation in From Festival to Feed: Expanding the Reach of African Cinema Through Distribution, Kene Okwuosa, Group CEO of Filmhouse Group, shares insights on scaling African cinema for mainstream audiences. Producer and showrunner Sia Stewart will highlight the rise of docuseries in her craft-centred masterclass titled Where Documentary Meets Reality TV, whilst Desiree Markgraaff from The Bomb Shelter spearheads a showcase session on South Africa’s hit series, in Behind the Legend: Inside South Africa’s Biggest Series, Shaka iLembe.

With JBX Industry Pass, Student Pass and Day Pass options available, the JFF welcomes both industry stakeholders and film enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the intricacies of filmmaking. With activities spanning creative and technical disciplines, festivalgoers can stay abreast of emerging industry trends and gain exposure to global best practices. The cosmopolitan city of Johannesburg once again provides the backdrop as the Joburg Film Festival continues to serve as a premier destination for creative inspiration, partnership-building and industry collaboration.

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Find out more about the Joburg Film Festival here