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.
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Cindy LeeDirectorThe Girl From St. Agnes
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Darwin ShawProducerCasino Royale, Homeland, House of Cards, Moon Knight, Scenes of an Adult Nature
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Will HawkesProducerSun Valley, R.V, Schoolboy
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Nomtha DanoProducer
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David S LeeWriter
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Darwin ShawWriter
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Will HawkesWriter
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Liyabona MroqozaKey Cast"LITHA"This is her first film role!!
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Avumile QongqoKey Cast"KHUSELWA"Outlander, Raised by Wolves
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Makhaola S NdebeleKey Cast"THABO"Money Monster,
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David S LeeKey Cast"ROBERT"Black Panther, Blood Diamond, Geostorm, Get Smart.
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Project Type:Short
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Runtime:27 minutes 52 seconds
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Completion Date:January 10, 2024
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Production Budget:85,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:South Africa
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Language:English, Xhosa
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Shooting Format:Digital, Raw
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Aspect Ratio:235..1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Pan-African International Film Festival - WinnerLos Angeles
United States
February 13, 2024
Oscar Qualifying Winner
Winner Best Narrative Short -
American Conservation Film Festival - WinnerWest Virginia
United States
March 7, 2024
Green Fire Award - Best Film & Audience Award Best Film -
Toronto International Women’s Film Festival - WinnerToronto
Canada
Best Narrative Short -
LA Independent Women Film Awards - WinnerLos 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 - WinnerCleveland
United States
April 4, 2024
WINNER THE CLOVER & MAGGIE AWARD: CELEBRATION OF LIFE & RUNNER UP AUDIENCE AWARD BEST FILM -
Indy Shorts Best Narrative Short - WinnerIndiana
United States
July 24, 2024
Indiana Premiere
Audience Award: Best Narrative Short -
Cordillera Film Festival: WinnerReno
United States
September 27, 2024
Nevada
Best Drama Short -
Pretoria Film Festival - 4 WinsPretoria
South Africa
July 25, 2024
South Africa
Best Actress, Supporting Actress, Screenplay, Production Design -
Hell's Half Mile - 3 WinsBay 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 MentionLos Angeles
United States
August 16, 2024
Honorable Mention -
Holly Shorts - FinalistHollywood
United States
August 17, 2024
Finalist Best Film -
Blackstar International Film Festival - WinnerAkra
Ghana
September 19, 2024
Ghana
Best Young Actress: Liyabona Mroqoza -
London Pan African Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
October 16, 2024
Official Selection -
San Diego International Film FestivalSan Diego
United States
October 16, 2024
San Diego Premiere
Official Selection
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.
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.