POWER24 International Film Festival 2025 is back in Durban
South Africa’s pioneering disability-focused film festival returns bigger and bolder, proving that every story deserves to be heard.
DURBAN, South Africa – 27 June 2025 – When most people think of film festivals, they picture red carpets and celebrity spotlights. But the POWER24 International Film Festival, returning to Durban this August, is refreshingly different – it’s where authentic stories meet genuine change, and being different isn’t just accepted, it’s celebrated.
Set to take place from August 22 to 24, 2025, at the Southern Sun Garden Court, this year’s POWER24 International Film Festival has grown exponentially, attracting over 200 film submissions from more than 60 countries worldwide—a remarkable leap from last year’s 177 entries. With South African participation alone tripling from 9 to 25 films, it’s clear that filmmakers globally are hungry for platforms that genuinely value diverse storytelling.
The Heart Behind the Movement
The origin story of the POWER24 International Film Festival is as compelling as a film script. Founded by Buhle Khumalo, a South African actress living with epilepsy who shattered barriers by becoming the first Black woman with disabilities to win Best Actress at the Africa USA International Film Festival’s Academy Awards in Los Angeles, POWER24 emerged from a deeply personal mission.
“Too many brilliant stories remain untold simply because their creators don’t fit the traditional mould,” says Khumalo, whose Buhle Khumalo Foundation for Epilepsy launched the POWER24 International Film Festival. “We’re not just screening films; we’re rewriting the rules of who gets to tell stories and how they’re heard. Every filmmaker here understands what it means to fight for their voice, and that shared experience creates something truly magical.”
The POWER24 International Film Festival’s tagline, “Power of the Story of the Voiceless”, isn’t marketing speak – it’s a manifesto born from the lived experience of navigating an industry that often overlooks talent from vulnerable communities.
What Makes POWER24 Different: Real Inclusion, Not Just Lip Service
While many festivals discuss diversity, POWER24 International Film Festival truly embodies it. This year’s accessibility provisions set the benchmark for inclusive event planning. The venue will feature comprehensive sign language interpretation and showcase audio-described films in partnership with ShazaCin Accessible Media, founded by Shakila Maharaj, who was honoured at last year’s inaugural POWER24 International Film Festival for her tireless work in developing, lobbying, and supporting creatives in producing audio-transcriptive films.
“Shakila’s recognition last year wasn’t just an award – it was an acknowledgement of someone who’s spent years ensuring that accessibility isn’t an afterthought in filmmaking,” notes Khumalo. “Having ShazaCin Accessible Media as our partner means we’re not just talking about inclusion; we’re demonstrating what it looks like when done properly.”
The comprehensive accessibility features extend beyond the basics, including sign language interpretation, audio-described films, and full wheelchair accessibility. But it goes beyond physical accommodations – the programming itself centres on stories from women, children, persons with disabilities, rural communities, and LGBTQI+ individuals.
“We’re the first POWER24 International Film Festival in Africa that’s genuinely biased towards people with disabilities,” Khumalo notes with characteristic directness. “That’s not a flaw – that’s our strength. Experiencing exclusion throughout your life sharpens your ability to create inclusive spaces.
Industry Powerhouses Join the Conversation
This year’s expanded programme features compelling masterclasses that address real industry challenges. The standout “Women in Power” panel features SWIFT (Sisters of Film and Television), an organisation that’s been steadily dismantling gender barriers in entertainment. Founded to address the stark under-representation of women in film and television roles—both on-screen and behind the camera—SWIFT has become a powerful force for change across Africa’s entertainment landscape, advocating for equal opportunities and challenging systemic exclusion.
The panel promises candid discussions about navigating male-dominated industry spaces, securing funding for women-led projects, and creating sustainable career paths for female creatives. This is the type of candid conversation that happens when industry veterans cease networking and begin revealing the truth.
Masterclasses That Matter
Perhaps most exciting is the 48-hour filmmaking masterclass led by Nerusha Maharaj Sadapal, founder of the renowned 48-hour Film Festival. Known for pushing filmmakers to create complete projects under extreme time pressure, Sadapal’s festival has become legendary for fostering innovation and discovering fresh talent who thrive under creative constraints.
“There’s something magical about forcing creativity into impossible timeframes,” notes Sadapal. “You eliminate overthinking and discover the true essence of storytelling.” It’s particularly powerful for emerging filmmakers who might feel intimidated by traditional industry barriers – suddenly, everyone’s on equal footing.”
The masterclass will cover rapid script development, efficient production techniques, and post-production strategies that work within tight deadlines – skills increasingly valuable in today’s fast-paced content landscape.
A Global Movement with Local Impact
The international growth is staggering. New participating countries, including Nigeria, Australia, Turkey, Kenya, Egypt, Argentina, Peru, Norway, Mexico, Korea, Hungary, Spain, Belgium, Zimbabwe, Venezuela, and Uzbekistan, have joined the movement, representing a 32% increase in global participation. This expansion reflects growing recognition that authentic storytelling transcends borders and traditional industry gatekeepers.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Voices
The POWER24 International Film Festival’s Youth TikTok Film Challenge, held during Youth Month, offers young creators the chance to win R3,000 and secure inclusion in the official selection. It’s a brilliant recognition that storytelling has evolved beyond traditional formats and that today’s youth are creating powerful narratives on platforms that mainstream cinema is only beginning to understand.
Accessibility Meets Opportunity
The pricing for the POWER24 International Film Festival reflects its values: just R50 for people with disabilities and students, R250 for general attendees, and R340 for industry professionals. A dedicated business lounge provides essential networking opportunities, as genuine transformation happens when industry gatekeepers and emerging talent establish equal connections.
Join the Revolution
Are you prepared to participate in a transformative event?
- Book tickets: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/318939-power24-international-film-festival/
- Submit films: https://filmfreeway.com/Power24InternationalFilmFestival
- Youth competition: Email kznfilmgroup@aol.com
- Learn more: https://www.powerfilmfestival.com/
Get in touch: Email: kznfilmgroup@aol.com Phone/WhatsApp: +27 783979601 Follow: @thepower24filmfest (Instagram) | Power24 Film Festival (Facebook)
POWER24 International Film Festival isn’t just another film festival – it’s proof that when you centre the margins, extraordinary things happen. In a world where authentic voices are increasingly rare, this festival reminds us that the most potent stories often come from the most unexpected places.
