At 041online, we’re all about championing local talent – especially when it comes wrapped in bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and unapologetic creativity. That’s why we’re excited about the return of the AFDA Experimental Festival, an annual showcase that gives emerging artists from across South Africa the space to push boundaries and share their stories. And yes, Gqeberha is very much in the mix.
This year’s festival takes place across all four AFDA campuses – Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and right here in the Bay – offering audiences a front-row seat to the next wave of African storytelling. The Gqeberha event lands on Saturday, 14 June, and if you’re a fan of the offbeat, the emotional, the thought-provoking or the downright experimental, this is not something you want to miss.
Spearheaded entirely by AFDA’s third-year students, the Experimental Festival is where future filmmakers, performers, and writers break the rules – and often create new ones. It’s raw. It’s fresh. And it’s proudly homegrown. Expect an eclectic lineup of student-produced short films, live performances, and creative writing projects that don’t just toe the line – they redraw it.
We’ve seen AFDA’s impact before. This isn’t just an academic exercise – it’s a launchpad. Over the years, AFDA students have gone on to produce internationally acclaimed work. The short film Elalini took home an Oscar in 2006. Kanye Kanye racked up over 20 global awards and reached the finals at Cannes and the Academy Awards. And films like Die Windpomp and Hollywood in my Huis, both developed from student work, made it to full-feature status. AFDA also holds nine SAFTAs for Best Student Film under its belt.
It’s easy to forget that these kinds of achievements often start small – in rooms just like the ones AFDA students are filling with light, sound, and imagination this month. That’s why festivals like this matter. They’re where talent gets tested and new voices get heard.
For those of us in Gqeberha, this is a chance to support our city’s young creatives and catch something real before it hits the mainstream. The Experimental Festival isn’t slick and corporate – it’s brave, honest, and unpredictable. The kind of art that sticks with you.
Here’s when and where it’s happening:
- Gqeberha – 14 June
- Johannesburg – 11 to 14 June
- Cape Town – 8 to 14 June
- Durban – 14 June
Whether you’re part of the industry, an artist yourself, or just someone who believes in backing local, we highly recommend grabbing a seat at this year’s festival. It’s the kind of event that reminds you why the creative arts matter – and why the Eastern Cape continues to produce some of the country’s boldest voices.
We’ll see you there.
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