The Sandton Convention Centre recently hosted Joburg Film Fest from the 3rd to 8th March 2026. For the first time, the Joburg Film Festival shook hands with the world of gaming, partnering with Space Salad Studiosto prove that storytelling isn’t just something you watch, but something you also play. This was a way to redefine what media looks like for the next generation of African creators.
Founded in 2016 by Tim Mangwedi, JFF is a dynamic cultural event that celebrates African storytelling and industry innovation. A simple yet powerful realisation sparked this collaboration… that gaming is the ultimate entry point for young talent. According to the team at Space Salad Studios, the goal is to see more black youth actively creating media, from films and digital shows to interactive experiences. “Gaming is already very popular with young people”, they shared. It’s a great way to begin teaching skills and getting involved in media production. The featured gaming studios as part of the collaboration included Glitch Portal, Vetkoek Studios, Safe Dollar Studios, Pineapple On Pizza Studios, and Atrybute Graphics
By using game engines, creators aren’t just playing. They are:
- Rewriting narratives: Telling African stories from a fresh perspective.
- Developing social solutions: Using tech to solve real-world problems.
- Building careers: Turning a hobby into a professional media path.
At their core, film and games are siblings. They both rely on deep storytelling, unforgettable characters, and emotional hooks. By bringing these two worlds into the same room, the festival gave gaming the legit media status it deserves. It showed aspiring creators that whether you hold a camera or a controller, you are a storyteller.
There were three highlighted energies at the festival, which included:
- The Esports Tournament: one of the biggest wins was seeing a room full of young people cheering on a tournament featuring a game developed by a local studio, proving that local talent can draw a crowd and deliver pure fun.
- Studio showcases: It was a rare and needed platform for local gaming studios to step into the spotlight. Seeing developers talk about their work reminded everyone that they need more stages like this to showcase the amazing games being built in their own backyard.
- The masterclasses: These weren’t just lectures but also toolkits. Creative media strategists provided actual, practical tools that attendees could use to tell their stories better, not just as gamers but as content creators and media professionals
By blending the cinematic history of the film fest with the digital innovation of Space Salad Studios, they’ve opened a new door for African creativity.
To learn more about Space Salad Studios and their projects, visit their social media platforms:
Website: https://www.spacesaladstudios.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spacesaladza/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spacesaladza
To keep up with the latest African cinema and media, check out JFF on their platforms:
Website: https://joburgfilmfestival.co.za/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joburg_film_festival/
