Nqanawe Shangase is an independent filmmaker, journalist and film critic based in Johannesburg, working at the intersection of cinema, culture and audiences. A self-taught writer-director, editor and producer, he launched NqanaweLIVE in 2017 and was named one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans in 2026. His award-winning shorts include ‘Piece Job’, ‘Quantum’ and ‘UBANI LORE?’. The latter has screened at major South African festivals and is currently touring nationally with Ster-Kinekor. Through THE UBANI TOUR, Nqanawe is exploring alternative approaches to independent film distribution and cinema-going.