Nigerian Film Debuts at Prestigious Global Festival

South African Siblings’ Directorial Debut “Finding Optel” Premieres at Prestigious BFI London Film Festival

Cape Town, South Africa – The homegrown film Finding Optel, now streaming on Showmax, recently celebrated an international milestone. Directed by sibling duo Mikayla Joy and Jesse Brown in their directorial debut, the Wes Anderson-inspired feature premiered at the prestigious BFI London Film Festival, a cornerstone event that kicks off awards season.

The film follows a teen detective confronting painful memories to solve her biggest mystery. It blends quirkiness with serious themes, showcasing South African storytelling on a global platform.

A Dream Realized at BFI

“It’s an incredible privilege to be selected,” Jesse Brown remarked. “This is one of the world’s top film festivals and a place we hadn’t imagined seeing so early on in our film careers.”

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The local siblings returned from London after their award-winning film screened at BFI Southbank. Over 100 attendees, including a contingent of South Africans, came to watch. The directors felt overwhelming support from home, reflecting the film’s own themes of community.

International Reception and Local Pride

International viewers showed curiosity about South African culture depicted on screen. The audience spanned all ages and participated actively in a Q&A session. Host Justin Johnson led discussions about the Cape Flats setting and the use of Afrikaaps dialect.

A touching moment occurred when a UK film student told Mikayla that Finding Optel inspired her own filmmaking aspirations. The student even requested an autograph, presenting an “Optel Found” sign for signing.

London’s vibrant cinema culture impressed the directors. Mikayla noted the strong public interest, with audiences queuing for hours. She emphasized the importance of local festivals like Silwerskermfees in sustaining South Africa’s cinema landscape.

The sibling directors walked red carpets alongside stars like Kirsten Dunst and Paul Mescal. They described feeling like “small fishes in a much bigger pond” but left inspired by the international talent. Their journey from local recognition to global showcase proves South African stories can shine worldwide.

Finding Optel is currently available for streaming on Showmax.