ILembe Shorts Indie Film Festival

03/09/2026

And just like that – the wound becomes real. 🩹✨

The final result? Nothing short of astonishing. Nonto's attention to texture, tone, and tissue memory brought a level of realism that had the entire room doing double-takes.

Huge respect to Nonto for making the impossible look effortless – and painfully real. 🖤

For more about SFX, join us at the 3rd edition of ISIFF ngoba imnandi ngokuphindwa. Come witness burnt wounds and many more looks!

02/09/2026

🎬 Behind the Scenes: Wound Makeup Magic in 1 Day!

Ever wonder how a 3-month healing process is filmed in a single day? 🩸🎥

We sat down with makeup artist Nontobeko Hlengwa and expert Zimasa Ndamase, who walked us through the pre-production process of an MUA...whilst Nonto created a gunshot wound—from fresh injury to healed scar—all in one shoot.

🔍 What we learned:

Continuity is key – every stage must match the story’s timeline.

Wax prep & placement – sculpting the wound base.

Color layering – bruising, inflammation, and healing tones.

All shot in hours, but telling weeks of story. Huge thanks to these talented ladies for sharing their craft! 👏💄

01/09/2026

Blood. Guts. Glamour. And a whole lot of latex. 🩸🔪

This week we join Nonto's world of Special Effects Makeup! Whether she is sculpting prosthetics, painting bruises, or creating otherworldly creatures, her job is simple: to make the impossible look terrifyingly real.

This week, we recap through two videos. Follow along for the gore, the glam, and everything in between!

👉 Drop a 🩸 if you are ready for some jaw-dropping transformations!

31/08/2026

As we close out Women’s Month, our hearts are full of gratitude for the incredible women behind ISIFF. 💫

Your passion, dedication, and strength bring this vision to life, and we see you, we celebrate you, and we thank you.

Siyabonga boDadewethu ngokuzikhandla kwenu. 🙌🏽💜

Here’s to the women who make magic happen—today and every day. Keep shining. Keep leading. We’re so grateful for you.

30/08/2026

🎬✨ 2/3 Casting director Pumza Ralo just dropped the realest advice for actors navigating the agency game.

Know your contribution. 💪

Know your take-home. 💰

Stay woke. 🧠

That’s the cheat code for surviving the agency hustle. Don't sleep on your bag! 🎭✨

29/08/2026

Relive the sparkle, the stories, and the screen magic of ISIFF! 🎬✨
Watch some of our most unforgettable moments—like when the incredible Pumza Ralo took the stage and served up real-talk gold on surviving auditions like a pro.

2026 is YOUR year to shine. Be in the room. Be in the story. Be the next moment we look back on.

🎥 Ready? Let’s roll. See you at ISIFF 2026!

23/07/2026