Experiencing Interruptions?

Beyond The Blackout

Beyond the Blackout is a short film that explores the untold effects of loadshedding in South Africa on personal relationships and emotional well-being. Through the eyes of Thabang, a young man navigating love and connection amidst recurring power outages, the narrative unpacks the deeper implications of this widespread issue on daily life and community ties. Blending dreamy, romantic sequences with sudden interruptions of reality, the film captures the frustration, longing, and emotional disconnection caused by loadshedding. By weaving a universal theme of love and resilience, Beyond the Blackout invites viewers—especially youth audiences—to reflect on how much is taken from them, beyond just electricity. This thought-provoking short film steers clear of political tones, focusing instead on the deeply personal and human impact of loadshedding. It serves as a powerful reminder of the value of connection and the unspoken toll of uncertainty in our lives.
At its core, Beyond the Blackout is both a call to empathy and a subtle challenge to societal systems, sparking essential conversations about love, relationships, and the silent struggles we endure in a disrupted world.

  • Vuyo Nolwandle Novokoza
    Director
  • Vuyo Nolwandle Novokoza
    Writer
  • Vuyo Nolwandle Novokoza
    Producer
  • Yolanda Connie Shoba
    Producer
  • Lukhona Ndumndum
    Producer
  • Katleho Rapapali
    Key Cast
    "Thabang"
  • Olerato Motsoane
    Key Cast
    "Lesedi"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 8 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 18, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    0 ZAR
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Sony Fx3
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Morning Show SA
    Johannesburg
    South Africa
    November 29, 2024
    It was screening live this is a news morning show in South Africa
Director Biography - Vuyo Nolwandle Novokoza

I am Vuyo Nolwandle Novokoza, a filmmaker based in Johannesburg, South Africa. As a Director, Actress, and Producer, I bring stories to life that are bold, authentic, and emotionally impactful. My work is rooted in a deep love for storytelling, celebrating culture, and sparking meaningful conversations through the art of film. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of acting in the award winning South African soapie Scandal, Five Fingers for Marseilles the first South African western film, 1802: Love Defies Time, a period piece series, and currently on Soft Life a series streaming on Showmax. In 2024, I was honoured to receive a Golden Award at the International Tourism Film Festival Africa for a documentary I directed during the pandemic. I believe in the power of dreams and the courage it takes to pursue them. There’s a moment when you’re watching something on screen it could be happy or sad and you find yourself in a trance. You don’t know how you got there, but in that moment, you start thinking…You feel this raw emotion burning inside, and you don’t even know what to do with it. Then, you snap out of that trance and realise the film just ended, a scene just passed, or a shot flew by. It feels like, somehow, you just watched yourself missing but in reality, you stopped watching and started experiencing it. That is my directing signature, whether the story is entertaining, educational, or inspiring I want people to experience it instead of watching it.

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Director Statement

Beyond the Blackout is a letter in motion to my country. In South Africa, we live under the weight of a crisis known as loadshedding, where planned power outages disrupt our daily lives. But the impact runs deeper than inconvenience; it steals moments of progress, connection, and dreams. Beyond the Blackout was born out of a desire to explore this invisible thief, not with a heavy hand, but with subtlety and heart. I chose to frame the story as a love narrative, luring viewers into a tale they think they know, only to unravel a deeper truth. I didn’t want to force political discourse onto my audience but rather invite them to experience it…to feel it. My hope is that this film stirs conversations, sparks curiosity, and challenges us to confront the layers of what loadshedding represents: not just power outages but a metaphor for stolen potential and the resilience that still burns within us. This is my letter in motion to South Africa a film that asks us to look beyond the darkness and into the possibility of light.