Experiencing Interruptions?

Millennial Dad

Jo, is a first time, self-doubting millennial dad who is determined to break his family's legacy of absent fathers. For the first time ever, Jo is left alone with his adorable yet demanding baby while juggling an urgent work deadline that's also the opportunity of a lifetime. Jo struggles to connect with his little one amidst the chaos and pressure.
Adding to his woes his mother-in-law, the queen of judgment, arrives unannounced. She seizes every moment to criticize his parenting skills. With every side-eye and snarky remark, Jo's insecurity grows, leaving him to wonder if he's cut out for this whole dad thing and deepens Jo’s insecurities about being a good father. Jo is eventually pushed to his limits.

Will he manage to get through this demanding day where everything seems to be going hilariously and disastrously wrong; And find a way to meet his deadline and connect with his baby and prove to everyone – including himself that he can be the father he's always wanted to be?

  • Maishe Mosala
    Director
    Shakas Mask; Phefumla
  • Lufuno Victor Nemungadi
    Writer
    Housekeepers 1,2&3; The Station
  • Lufuno Victor Nemungadi
    Producer
    MTV Shuga Down South S3; Housekeepers S1,2&3; Lioness S1; Generations; Rhythm City; Goodmen S1&2; Mzali Wami; The Station; Muvhango; Greed & Desire
  • Bonginkosi Shibe
    Key Cast
    "Jo"
  • Kamogelo Ndawo
    Key Cast
    "Amanda"
    Good Men, The station
  • Brenda Mhlongo
    Key Cast
    "Mam Anna"
    The Queen; The River; Lion King; Generations The Legacy
  • Charles Phasha
    Key Cast
    "Wavey"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Millennial Dad
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    August 30, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    530,000 ZAR
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    English, Zulu
  • Shooting Format:
    Alexa Mini 3.2k A. ProRes 422 HQ
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Maishe Mosala

As a writer- Director , this is Maishe's 2nd Narrative short film. Maishe works as a production and development analyst at a funding body overseeing the funding, production, development, marketing and distribution of funded independent films in South Africa.

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Director Statement

Maishe’s short films are explorations of the intricate psychological landscapes of African masculinities in today's world. Through her films, she looks at the mental and emotional impacts of patriarchy in a post-colonial and post-apartheid context, capturing the unique challenges that Millennials and Gen Z men face in Africa.

Her debut narrative short film, Shaka's Mask addresses the psychological toll of social media on a young urban African millennial man in Johannesburg, South Africa. In "Millennial Dad," she tenderly examines the early stages of fatherhood for an urban African millennial man who grew up without a present father. She hopes that the film will resonate with young fathers today who are striving to break the cycle of absent fathers—a cycle born out of oppressive socio-political systems such as apartheid.

"Millennial Dad" not only celebrates the passion of these millennial dads to be present for their children but also sensitively portrays the complex realities they face, including the emotional and mental challenges of being an urban African father in today’s world.