South African film Carissa has been selected for the prestigious Final Cut section at the 80th Venice Film Festival, marking a major milestone for African cinema. The film, which explores themes of identity, resilience, and the human spirit, has earned its place in the Final Cut—a program that supports post-production for films from Africa and the Middle East. This recognition highlights the growing global prominence of African filmmaking.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Cederberg mountains, Carissa tells the story of its titular character, focusing on the villagers of a rural community faced with a dilemma. As a multinational corporation plans to develop a luxury golf estate, the villagers are forced to defend their traditional way of life. Through this conflict, the film captures the tension between progress and preservation in a world where modern development threatens indigenous livelihoods.
The film was written by Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar, who also served as producers alongside Deidré Jantjies and Annemarie du Plessis for the Cape Town-based production company Na Aap Prods.
The inclusion of Carissa at Venice represents not only a significant achievement for the film itself but also a moment of pride for South African cinema. Its success brings international attention to the country’s growing storytelling potential, opening doors for more African stories to be told on the world stage and celebrating the richness and diversity of the continent’s cultural narratives.