New Anthology Series, A Moment in Time To Screen At Joburg Film Festival 2026

Isio Africa’s Provocative Anthology ‘A Moment in Time’ to Screen at Joburg Film Festival

Isio Africa today announced that three short films from its daring new anthology series, A Moment in Time (AMIT), have been selected for the 8th annual Joburg Film Festival. The films, The Night Before Elections, The Patriarchy, and Mother, will screen back-to-back on 6 March 2026 at The Artistry in Sandton, Johannesburg South Africa.

Created and written by seasoned media and entertainment entrepreneur, Mudzithe Phiri, A Moment in Time is an indie-funded anthology of six short films that deliver a raw, unflinching critique of the societal ills facing modern Africa. The series confronts deeply entrenched issues like patriarchal violence, political corruption, and the lingering trauma of colonialism. Phiri’s vision is to jolt audiences from complacency and ignite urgent conversations about the continent’s future.

Phiri says:

“Africans need to be snapped out of it. My films are raw because I feel that maybe if the truth is shown in its stark crudeness, people will understand why it’s so important that we stop with the political correctness and face reality head on. We need to address the fact that colonisation never ended, and confront how institutions like religion and politics continue to enforce and enable oppressive systems.”

Despite the heavy themes, the production of A Moment in Time was a testament to African collaboration and excellence. Phiri notes that the best part of the experience was the dedication of the almost entirely Black crew.

“Everybody who worked on this film, all Black crew but one, shout out to Ziggy who brought them together, they were all on time every day, they all gave me their best. It was just amazing to have a team of Africans working together with the work ethic on 100. It’s literally the dream. All of us Africans working together to create something good and i think we did that”

The three films selected for the festival explore political corruption and ancestral reckoning (The Night Before Elections), the oppressive violence of patriarchy (The Patriarchy), and the destructive relationship between humanity and nature (Mother). The screening marks a significant milestone for Phiri, who spent three years fundraising for the project with support from co-executive producer Kassim Suleiman, award winning Executive Producer of Big Brother Nigeria and Nigerian Idol and Nigerian investment firm Optiva Capital Partners.

Phiri, who intends for A Moment in Time to become a regular series, is currently seeking a global streaming partner, to bring these vital African stories to a worldwide audience. She is also a passionate advocate for building a commercially viable and self-sufficient film economy in Africa.

“Storytelling is African at its core, our culture used to be entrenched in story” she states. “We must think about building systems and models that are unique to us, to our people, to our environment, to our market. We look at the film industry and the entertainment business as a whole through the eyes of a western lens and we kill ourselves before we can even take off with that mindset. No one knows us better than us – we need to start really creating for us”

About A Moment in Time (AMIT):
A Moment in Time is an anthology series of six short films written and created by Mudzithe Phiri. Each film explores a pivotal, high-stakes moment that reflects on the challenges and aspirations of contemporary Africa, from political corruption and patriarchal violence to the search for a new, authentic narrative.

About Isio Africa:
Isio Africa is a media and entertainment company founded by Mudzithe Phiri. The company boasts a mission to align culture, content, and community to build African brands and businesses for the next Generation of African consumers.

Passes to the festival are on sale with the following options available:

Industry Pass – R1 800 from 1 January and includes: 3-Day JBX Access; 5 Red Carpet Premieres; 10 Additional Screenings
Festival Pass — R1 000 which includes: 5 Red Carpet Premieres; 10 Additional Screenings
Student Pass — R500 which includes: 3-Day JBX Access; 3 Red Carpet Premieres; 10 Additional Screenings
Day Pass — R800 including: Unlimited Screenings for the Day; 1-Day JBX Access
Passes available via Webtickets

Find out more about the Joburg Film Festival here.

About Joburg Film Festival
The Joburg Film Festival is Africa’s premier film event, dedicated to showcasing exceptional cinematic works while nurturing the growth of the African film industry. With a focus on diverse storytelling and fostering dialogue, the festival brings together filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences for an enriching cultural experience.