KZN funded documentary promoted at Cannes Film Festival

As the global movie industry gathers at the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival, a KwaZulu-Natal producer is also in town to promote her latest work.

Tiny Mungwe is at the French Riviera to lobby and to build relationships with global decision-makers and distributors in a bid to get her latest projects onto the international film circuit.

One of her projects – Womxn: Working – which was produced in Durban, has been financed by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA), which has also sent two KZNTAFA representatives along to Cannes with Mungwe.

The Cannes International Film Festival celebrates excellence in cinema and attracts leading filmmakers, producers, financiers and distributors from across the world. It is at Cannes where deals are brokered, opportunities are explored and film organisations showcase their locations and incentives.

For more than a decade, the KZN Film Commission – now known as the KZN Tourism and Film Authority - has taken part in the Cannes International Film Festival and its associated film market, Marché du Film, demonstrating the region’s growing stature as a serious player in the global film landscape, while promoting KZN as a premier filming destination with world-class facilities, skilled local talent and competitive incentives.

Each year, the KZN delegation—comprising filmmakers, officials, and emerging producers—has used the festival as a springboard to build international networks, pitch co-production projects, and attract foreign investment. The Commission has hosted networking events, participated in panel discussions, and partnered with national bodies such as the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) to present a unified South African presence.

“This consistent participation has not only elevated the province’s global profile but has also led to direct economic benefits, including location shoots in KZN by international productions, strengthened bilateral relations with foreign film commissions and skills exchange programmes for emerging filmmakers,” said Sibusiso Gumbi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of KZN Tourism and Film. 

“Cannes has thus become a cornerstone of KZN’s international film promotion strategy,” he added.

Mungwe’s 67-minute documentary tells the story of a group of fearless South African sex worker activists who have conducted a decade-long fight to reform discriminatory laws while working to protect the dignity of sex workers in South Africa which is still grappling with HIV and gender-based violence.

The film, which will be screened in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban soon – as well as to lawmakers and politicians – is expected to raise awareness by educating the engaging the public. It is also expected to shift perceptions and build wider support.

Sparking meaningful change

Mungwe, who is accompanied in Cannes by her Belfast-based business partner, Mitchell Harper, said: “This documentary is not just a film; it is a powerful advocacy tool that amplifies the voices of sex workers and champions the fight for decriminalization in South Africa,” the producer explained before jetting off to Cannes.

“I believe it is poised to spark critical conversations, challenge societal perceptions and drive meaningful change.”

The Womxn: Working team believes that the documentary will position KZN as a beacon of innovation and advocacy in the film industry.

She added she had two feature films in development and has had strong leads for it at Cannes.

"We also have an artist residency called Ehoin Retreat in which we run labs for the film industry. So, we took meetings with potential partners while at Cannes, proving that this is a phenomenal platform for filmmakers to attend and build solid partnership,’’ Mungwe added.

Mungwe acknowledged how critical the support of KZNTAFA was to help filmmakers connect and in building the relationships with collaborators internationally.

The Acting Chief Executive of KZN Tourism & Film Authority, Sibusiso Gumbi added that “The Womxn: Working” film project is well positioned to tie into the themes of the Cannes Film Festival, as one theme is ‘A Festival with a Conscience: For Freedom of Expression, Equality and Diversity’.

“We note that the Cannes Festival has intentionally sought the participation of female filmmakers to showcase films that address political and or societal challenges. The film that we have supported and funded does just that.”

The KZN Tourism & Film AFA delegation includes Managers responsible for Marketing and Promotions in Europe, Locations and Productions.