Journey : Murena Emmanuel Netshitangani, the rising star of African cinema awarded at Cannes

Born in Ha-Khakhu Makuleni, near the mystical Lake Fundudzi in the Vhembe district, Murena Emmanuel Netshitangani grew up at the heart of the Venda culture. From a young age, he was immersed in ancestral tales, rituals, and traditional songs of his people. Aware of the fragility of this oral heritage, he decided to preserve and reinvent it through cinema.

A storyteller rooted in the land of Limpopo

A graduate in film production from the Tshwane University of Technology, Netshitangani quickly distinguished himself through his sensitive and poetic storytelling approach. After several acclaimed short films, he embarked on the ambitious project of Lubunyu, a feature film shot entirely in the Venda language, with non-professional actors from his community.

Lubunyu: an ode to memory and land

Lubunyu, which means « naked intruder » in the Venda language, is inspired by a striking childhood memory:

« There was a mysterious figure known as Lubunyu who terrorized the women in the area. One night, my sister Tshifaro and I encountered a naked and frightening man. That memory haunted me, and I felt the need to turn it into a powerful narrative. »

The film explores the deep connections between land, identity, and collective memory, through the story of Thandeka, a young woman who returns to her native village after the mysterious death of her grandmother, a traditional healer. In delving into the past, she rediscovers the secrets of her lineage, facing modern upheavals and the loss of ancestral knowledge.

Blending magical realism, dreamlike imagery, and oral traditions, Lubunyu is a work deeply rooted in South African culture yet universal in its message. The beauty of Limpopo’s landscapes, captured with rare sensitivity, and the authenticity of the characters give the film an emotional power praised by critics.

A film of rare beauty, honoring African roots while exploring contemporary challenges with finesse

Presented at the Cannes World Film Festival in May 2025, Lubunyu was acclaimed for its freshness, originality, and its ability to create dialogue between tradition and modernity. The jury awarded it the Best African Film Prize, highlighting « a film of rare beauty, honoring African roots while exploring contemporary challenges with finesse. »

This accolade places Murena Emmanuel Netshitangani among the most promising filmmakers on the continent. It also highlights the renewal of South African cinema, driven by a young generation proudly claiming their cultural heritage while adopting bold cinematic languages.

In a post following his win, he wrote with emotion:

« From the timeless mountains of Makuleni, overlooking the enchanting Lake Fundudzi… a name that now echoes across the world. »

A production studio in Limpopo to train young talents from rural communities

Murena does not see cinema as just a career, but as a cultural mission. He is working to create a production studio in Limpopo to train young talents from rural communities, giving them access to professional tools to express their vision.

His project goes beyond the artistic field: it is part of a community development approach and the preservation of intangible heritage. In this sense, he joins the contemporary voices of an engaged, rooted, and deeply humanist African cinema.

Buoyed by this success at Cannes, Murena Emmanuel Netshitangani has been approached by several international festivals and streaming platforms. He is currently working on a new film focused on internal migration in Southern Africa, while continuing his mentorship efforts in his home region.