What inspired the story behind your short film “UMLINDELO (The Vigil)”?

“UMLINDELO” is a look into how we grieve in the black community. The story dives into collective grief and how it’s traditionally handled, and how that can conflict with an individual’s own path to grief. Mourning the deceased is a worldwide practice, and while it differs culturally and ethnically, there are similarities in how Africans, specifically black South Africans, mourn the dead. This story is born out of my own experiences with grief and the complicated ways in which collective grief as a cultural practice can oppose an individual’s path to grief. Through the two sisters, we explore the relationship between memory and grief, informed by the differences in their experiences with their father.

Can you discuss any unique challenges you faced during production?

As an independent filmmaker, making a film with very limited funds is quite challenging. I had to recruit crew members through in-person meetings and be open about what I wanted to achieve despite the limited budget. We could only afford to shoot for one day, so we had very limited time. It was a very hot day in Soweto, and we had three locations to cover. The crew stepped up and got things done despite these challenges, which was amazing to see.

How did you approach character development within the limited runtime of a short film?

Character development was crucial for us. The story is about two sisters with different ideological views on mourning. We didn’t want to favour one over the other explicitly but instead explore the impact of mourning in a cultural setting and let the audience decide which approach they favour. We had to cut an entire scene that set up Ntombikayise’s character due to time constraints, but it ended up working out for the best, allowing more space for Thandokazi’s perspective to be explored as well.

What message or emotion do you hope the audience takes away from your film?

I want audiences to interrogate how mourning is facilitated in familial settings and their role in it. The emotion behind that interrogation is empathy—empathy for those whose approach to grief falls outside of the norm.

How do you see your short film fitting into your broader body of work or future projects?

I’ve always been passionate about shaping stories around the complex lives of black women, and this film is an extension of that. “UMLINDELO” explores the ordinary experiences that shape our lives forever. Making this film made me realize I have many more diverse stories to tell about black women.

Why are festivals like the FAME Shorts Film Festival so important?

Film festivals like the FAME Shorts Film Festival are incredibly important for granting visibility to the stories of emerging film practitioners and providing a platform to connect with audiences. The festival’s timing with FAME Week is also a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and learn more about the business of filmmaking.

“UMLINDELO (The Vigil),” directed by Mbali Mashaba, is a profound exploration of grief and memory. Be sure to catch it at the FAME Shorts Film Festival.