Watch Film School Africa

Film School Africa is an inspiring and heartwarming documentary film directed by Nathan Pfaff. The film follows a group of teens in the impoverished township of Diepsloot, South Africa, as they learn to make movies and gain skills to help them break the cycle of poverty. The movie begins by introducing viewers to the township of Diepsloot, a community plagued by crime, unemployment, and HIV/AIDS. Amidst the challenges of their daily lives, a group of determined teenagers come together to participate in a film-making course run by Katie Taylor, a Canadian filmmaker, and her team of instructors.

The film-school programme encourages the students to think creatively, develop their storytelling skills and assume leadership roles. As the group collaborate, they become increasingly comfortable with the camera and build their confidence in front of the lens.

Throughout the course of the movie, the teens work on creating short films that reflect their own experiences, hopes and dreams of the future. We see their passion and determination in creating and sharing stories as they overcome difficult challenges like finding donation or filming locations.

We also see the impact that the programme has on their personal lives, Outside of filmmaking, this course led the students to focus on their education and academic potential, and provided them with a sense of worth and purpose.

One of the most moving moments in the film is when one of the students loses her father, and the group rallies together to create a memorial film about him. The students come together in a demonstration of support and solidarity to help their classmate mourn, grow and learn from her experiences.

In addition to the student’s stories, the film also covers the success stories of alumni who have left the programme, found full-time employment or established businesses that drew from the lessons and skills taught in the film-making course.

The film is supported by knowledgeable interviews with teachers, parents, and the programs' founder, who share stories of how the programme is creating opportunities for students who may have never even considered them. The documentary concludes with a presentation and a screening of the young directors' short films at a packed theatre in Johannesburg.

Overall, Film School Africa is a documentary movie that captures the essence of hope, empowerment, and resilience of impoverished youth in South Africa. The students featured in the film experience personal growth, explore and understand their community, and develop valuable skills that will benefit them as they navigate their transition to adulthood. With each success, the group proves that anyone can be a filmmaker, and how access to education and creative tools can change the lives of those society might have overlooked.

Film School Africa is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes.