Embark on a cinematic journey through the heart of South Africa with Cinema Awujo's holiday lineup, centered around filmmaker Dumisani Phakhati's earlier short films! From the poignant 'Christmas with Granny,' where tradition clashes with a changing future, to the nostalgic 'Waiting for Valdez,' painting a vivid picture of childhood amid apartheid's turmoil, and the comedic 'An Old Wife’s Tale,' challenging societal norms with humor and charm. These films not only capture the essence of the holiday spirit but also weave tales of resilience, cultural richness, and the enduring spirit of humanity.

About Cinema Awujo!

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Dumisani Phakathi, aka Malo 8, is a Soweto-born director of television, films and commercials. He began making movies at the age of sixteen. After matriculating in 1993 at Phafogang High School in Soweto, he went to work at Die Beeld, Gauteng’s leading Afrikaans newspaper. He proved too gregarious for a newsroom and joined TV Production Company – Urban Brew – as a trainee director. A year later he conceptualized The Electric Workshop, the funky youth actuality program that went on to run for five successful years. Phakathi has collaborated with notable media organizations BBC, Arte and TV2 Denmark. He has received additional praise including a special mention at Toronto Film Festival, a Forum Selection at Berlin Film Festival and a Best Director award at Montecatini Film Festival. Waiting for Valdez, a short film produced for MNET, garnered a great deal of support and attention early on in his career. Some of Phakathi’s other works include An Old Wife's Tale and Don't F*** with Me, I Have 51 Brothers and Sisters(2005). In 2008, his Nocturnal Fragments, a collaboration between Pat Mautloa and Phakathi, which consists of digital stills that Phakathi made with his video camera turned into fine art prints, some of which have additional pastel work by Mautloa, were shown at Johannesburg’s new Resolution Gallery of Digital Art.