A MONTCLAIR producer’s most recent film garnered the attention of the international film community when Sithabile Mkhize’s work on the South African feature film God’s Work took home an award at the Luxor African Film Festival in Egypt recently.

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The Radwan El Kashef Prize

The film, a collaborative effort between director Michael James and producer Mkhize, was honoured with the Radwan El Kashef Prize for Best Film Addressing an African Issue, an honour also referred to as the Silver Mask of Tutankhamun.

Azza El Husseiny, the festival director, said that this award is a unique award that is not given out annually.

“The Radwan El Kashef Prize for the Best Film Addressing an African Issue is not granted annually, but only when the High Committee decides that a particular film deserves this special honour, marking it as a distinction reserved for truly exceptional works that embody both artistic excellence and deep engagement with African realities,” said El Husseiny. 

A voice for the marginalised 

The award pays homage to the pioneering Egyptian filmmaker Radwan El Kashef and is awarded to films that illuminate marginalised voices, doing so with both empathy and significant depth. The festival’s decision to honour God’s Work stemmed from its observation of the film’s “powerful artistic vision and its sincere exploration of African identity and collective struggle”.

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First reactions

Reflecting on the moment the news of the award reached her, Mkhize said that the full impact of the achievement required some time to truly register.

“Honestly, it was one of those moments that demands a brief pause for it to fully crystalise into reality. The role of producing often involves a substantial amount of unseen labour; you are, in essence, addressing various challenges, maintaining the project’s overarching vision and ensuring that every team member can perform at their optimal level. Consequently, when the film itself receives recognition, it elicits a unique sense of joy,” said Mkhize.

Promoting community voices

She added that it’s not just a proud moment for yourself but for everyone who brought their skills to the film.

“These are stories about people society has largely chosen not to see, and for a festival of Luxor’s stature to say this matters, this is worth your attention, that felt significant. It felt like the film was doing exactly what it was made to do,” she said.

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Initially Mkhize said she never associated the film with awards; she said that films like this are about telling a story and shining a light on others. 

“From the initial reading of the script, it became apparent that he had unearthed something uncommon: a narrative grounded in lived reality, yet simultaneously unafraid to explore the surreal, the poetic and even the disturbing in certain segments,” she said.

The production was done with support from the Durban Film Office, KZN Tourism and Film and the National Film and Television Foundation. It was also co-produced with Amafrika Films and Mojo Entertainment.

What is next?

Looking towards future endeavours, Mkhize said that audiences could anticipate more thought-provoking projects from her.

She is presently engaged in the post-production phase of Chicken Head, a hybrid short documentary. This project delves into the lived experience of chronic pain, utilising a multifaceted approach that includes observational footage, interviews, and animation.

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