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THE LAST RANGER

When young Litha is introduced to the magic of a game reserve by the last remaining ranger, they are ambushed by poachers. In the ensuing battle to save the rhinos, Litha discovers a terrible secret.

  • Cindy Lee
    Director
    The Girl From St. Agnes
  • Darwin Shaw
    Producer
    Casino Royale, Homeland, House of Cards, Moon Knight, Scenes of an Adult Nature
  • Will Hawkes
    Producer
    Sun Valley, R.V, Schoolboy
  • Nomtha Dano
    Producer
  • David S Lee
    Writer
  • Darwin Shaw
    Writer
  • Will Hawkes
    Writer
  • Liyabona Mroqoza
    Key Cast
    "LITHA"
    This is her first film role!!
  • Avumile Qongqo
    Key Cast
    "KHUSELWA"
    Outlander, Raised by Wolves
  • Makhaola S Ndebele
    Key Cast
    "THABO"
    Money Monster,
  • David S Lee
    Key Cast
    "ROBERT"
    Black Panther, Blood Diamond, Geostorm, Get Smart.
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    27 minutes 52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 10, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    85,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    English, Xhosa
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Raw
  • Aspect Ratio:
    235..1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Pan-African International Film Festival - Winner
    Los Angeles
    United States
    February 13, 2024
    Oscar Qualifying Winner
    Winner Best Narrative Short
  • American Conservation Film Festival - Winner
    West Virginia
    United States
    March 7, 2024
    Green Fire Award - Best Film & Audience Award Best Film
  • Toronto International Women’s Film Festival - Winner
    Toronto
    Canada
    Best Narrative Short
  • LA Independent Women Film Awards - Winner
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Narrative Short, Best Youth Actress
  • International Images Film Festival - Winner

    United States
    Best Narrative Short
  • Atlantic Film Festival - Winner

    Best Short Script, Best Actress
  • Cleveland 48th International Film Festival - Winner
    Cleveland
    United States
    April 4, 2024
    WINNER THE CLOVER & MAGGIE AWARD: CELEBRATION OF LIFE & RUNNER UP AUDIENCE AWARD BEST FILM
  • Indy Shorts Best Narrative Short - Winner
    Indiana
    United States
    July 24, 2024
    Indiana Premiere
    Audience Award: Best Narrative Short
  • Cordillera Film Festival: Winner
    Reno
    United States
    September 27, 2024
    Nevada
    Best Drama Short
  • Pretoria Film Festival - 4 Wins
    Pretoria
    South Africa
    July 25, 2024
    South Africa
    Best Actress, Supporting Actress, Screenplay, Production Design
  • Hell's Half Mile - 3 Wins
    Bay City
    United States
    September 29, 2024
    Michigan
    Winner Jury Award: Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award: Best Short Film, Best Short Lead Performance: Liyabona Mroqoza
  • Salute Shorts _ Honorable Mention
    Los Angeles
    United States
    August 16, 2024
    Honorable Mention
  • Holly Shorts - Finalist
    Hollywood
    United States
    August 17, 2024
    Finalist Best Film
  • Blackstar International Film Festival - Winner
    Akra
    Ghana
    September 19, 2024
    Ghana
    Best Young Actress: Liyabona Mroqoza
  • London Pan African Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 16, 2024
    Official Selection
  • San Diego International Film Festival
    San Diego
    United States
    October 16, 2024
    San Diego Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Cindy Lee

Cindy Lee is a South African television and commercials director. In 2017 she was nominated for a SAFTA (South African Film and Television Award) for her television directing debut of the drama series "Sober Companion". The groundbreaking series explored the moral challenges an addict faces while fighting to stay sober as he attempts to help other addicts on their path to rehabilitation. Cindy directed a block of three episodes in this show.
In 2018 she directed three episodes of Showmax's original drama, "The Girl From St. Agnes". The series was launched in January, 2019 to rave reviews.
"The Girl From St Agnes centres around themes such as misogyny, teenage sexuality, identity, rape culture, sexual assault and bullying. Even before its release, the trailer was viewed more than two million times on various platforms. After its release, the show broke all previous viewing records. The strong production values and a beautifully curated soundtrack make for an incredibly immersive experience." The South African
Before becoming a director, Cindy spent 12 years as an award-winning copywriter, boasting a string of awards with a Cannes Gold, Silver and Bronze Lion and Loerie Grand Prix topping the list. In 2004 she transitioned from writing commercials to directing commercials and had a prolific career making some of South Africa's favourite commercials.
In 2014 she wrote a short screenplay entitled "HORN" about the horrors of Rhino poaching that won at the New York Picture Start Film Festival.
Cindy began directing television in 2016. She lives in South Africa and has a US green card.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My experience growing up in an acutely patriarchal South African culture often challenged my identity as a gay woman. I learned to tell stories as a way of communicating difficult to define emotions brought on by those challenges.

I now make films in order to explore other challenging ideas that I am trying to make sense of, and to tell stories that hopefully help people understand the complexities of their own experience.

The Last Ranger is a film about the horrors of rhino poaching. But it is also about the Xhosa communities that surround the reserves where the rhinos live. Looking for meaningful work near their families, many Xhosa women are signing up to be game rangers in these reserves. They have become highly effective caregivers and fierce protectors of these magnificent creatures.

Within our wildlife conservation film is a female empowerment story about a precocious young Xhosa girl who discovers her destiny as a powerful warrior. Hopefully her story will inspire young women to believe in their ability to protect what is important to them.