MMOCA 2020: South Africa’s First Mobile Filmmakers Festival
In 2020, MMOCA became the first film festival in South Africa dedicated to showcasing films shot exclusively on mobile devices. With over 60 submissions, the festival celebrated the power of accessible storytelling, culminating in a memorable red-carpet awards night at the Belgian Residency in Cape Town. As a career highlight, MMOCA brought together talented filmmakers, recognized outstanding achievements, and underscored the future of mobile filmmaking in South Africa.
In 2020, we launched a groundbreaking initiative for South Africa’s film community: the MMOCA (Mobile Mobile Online Cinema Awards) Film Festival, the first mobile phone-based film festival in the country. Designed to empower emerging filmmakers, MMOCA provided a platform for South African storytellers to showcase their work, using accessible technology to tell their stories in a cinematic way. With submissions open exclusively to mobile-shot films—using smartphones, tablets, drones, or GoPro-style cameras—the festival aimed to level the playing field, eliminating economic barriers that often limit participation in traditional filmmaking.
A Celebration of Innovation and Talent
MMOCA attracted over 60 submissions, with creators from all walks of life sharing their unique perspectives through short films in fiction, documentary, and advertisement categories. The goal was not only to encourage creative expression but to serve as a stepping stone for aspiring South African filmmakers. Out of the many entries, 15 finalists were selected by our professional team, who then had their films judged by an international panel of experts.
The Red Carpet Finale
The festival concluded in style with a red-carpet event at the Belgian Residency in Cape Town, generously hosted by the Belgian Chamber of Commerce and powered by the Consulate-General of Belgium. All 15 finalists were invited to celebrate their achievements at this prestigious awards night, an unforgettable evening filled with excitement, anticipation, and a sense of community. Attendees were treated to an evening of networking, live screenings, and a palpable energy that celebrated innovation and storytelling.
A Career Highlight
As the director of MMOCA, this festival stands out as one of the true highlights of my career. Seeing the creativity, ambition, and resilience of South Africa’s emerging filmmakers reaffirmed my belief in the power of storytelling—and in the ability of mobile filmmaking to amplify new voices. The enthusiasm of the participants and the support from the community made MMOCA a remarkable experience, and I’m proud to have been part of bringing such an initiative to life.
Awards and Recognition
Winners were celebrated with production grants and awards supported by the festival’s sponsors, which included the Flemish Representation Award for Best Documentary, the Wallonia-Brussels Award for Best Fiction Film, and the Flemish Investment & Trade Award for Best Advertisement. Alongside a production grant of R10,000 for each category winner, we also awarded a R5,000 Jury Prize to recognize exceptional work.
A Future for Mobile Filmmaking
MMOCA 2020 was a milestone, proving that mobile filmmaking is not just viable but a powerful medium for storytelling. We hope the festival continues to inspire new filmmakers, offering a platform to bring fresh voices and perspectives into South Africa’s film scene.
Heartfelt Thanks
I owe a deep thanks to the entire MMOCA organization, our sponsors, and every participant whose passion, creativity, and hard work made this festival possible. This event was a success because of your belief in the vision and your commitment to creating meaningful stories. Thank you for making this journey an unforgettable one.
