Latest news with #AmericanBlackFilmFestival
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
‘It was an awesome moment': Tshegofatso Mabasa's mother on being included in the Pirates doccie
Faith is woven into daily life in the Mabasa household, as seen from the very first episode of Pirates' Giants. The mother of Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa, Itumeleng, feels seen and recognised after being included in Pirates' five-part documentary, Giants. 'But to be honest, it was an awesome moment, you know, to realise that you as a parent are also considered,' said Itumeleng at the screening of the first episode of Giants. The Giants series takes viewers into the Orlando Pirates' changing room and the players' lives outside the field. The first episode of the five-part series aired last Sunday, and it zooms in on the lives of Mabasa and midfielder Thalente Mbatha, featuring interviews with their families. 'You know, when your child is there, people wonder who brought this child to this earth, how did this person bring him up. It was an interesting thing and I just want to ask that may it continue with other parents as well,' said Itumeleng. ALSO READ: Primo Baloyi on Pirates' new doccie: 'It makes the sport that much better when you know what's behind the scenes' 'I thought it was a joke' When Mabasa's mother was first approached about the filming of the doccie, she thought it was a joke. 'For me, it was like a joke. I remember I was a bit rude to the person who came to me.' She asked, 'Why do you want to talk to me? What is it that I've done?' 'Then Tshego later phoned to say, 'Mama, this is what is going to happen?' Then the day came,' shared Itumeleng. The first day of shooting took Itumeleng by surprise as she was welcomed into her home by the film crew. 'I remember I had a meeting at school for my grandchild, when I came back, everything was mixed up [but] luckily, my sister was there. I wanted to shout because I want my things to be the way I left them.' ALSO READ: Gregory Maqoma on portraying one of his ancestors on 'Shaka iLembe' Giants is rooted in faith, family and football. Throughout the first episode, it is clear how much faith plays a role in the Mabasa household. 'Every time when they go to play, then I will quote a verse, or I will tell him about God,' says the sticker's mother's mother in the film. In one part of the doccie, Mabasa's aunt shares a story about how the forward once slept over a soccer ball as a young boy. 'Tshego loved soccer right from the crèche. Wherever you see him, he would be holding a ball,' says Tumi. 'It's a story that my mother's very fond of. When I was young, she always said that as a child I never wanted any other toy apart from a ball,' Mabasa says. NOW READ: 'Black Women and Sex': South African filmmaker wins at American Black Film Festival
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Bushbuckridge Film Festival: Giving accessibility and community inclusion through film
The inaugural Bushbuckridge Film Festival is one of the few festivals that encourage home-grown talent to nurture their gifts locally. Festivals, whether for music or other art disciplines, are often hosted in urban areas; hence, most creatives based in rural parts of the country are usually encouraged to leave and move to the big city to be recognised. Held in rural Mpumalanga, the inaugural Bushbuckridge Film Festival is one of the few festivals that encourage home-grown talent to nurture their gifts locally. The Bushbuckridge Film Festival is a flagship programme of the Bushbuckridge Arts Festival, established in 2023. The festival is steadfast in its mission: to champion authentic storytelling and nurture the next generation of filmmakers from Bushbuckridge and beyond. 'The festival is growing, and it's inspiring to see its trajectory reach new heights,' says festival coordinator Dipa Khoza. The festival is free to the public and has been ongoing from Wednesday until this Saturday. ALSO READ: 'Black Women and Sex': South African filmmaker wins at American Black Film Festival Bushbuckridge Film Festival's pillars The Bushbuckridge Film Festival is built on a trio of pillars: film screenings, hands-on workshops and industry talks. 'These components are designed to uplift and educate aspiring writers, filmmakers, actors, and producers, giving them meaningful opportunities to learn from and engage with some of South Africa's most respected voices in film and television,' Khoza said. Celebrated television legend Jerry Phele, whose breakout role was on Emzini Wezinsizwa as Mofokeng, will also be in attendance to share his insights. Former Rhythm City actor Elliot Sabelo Makhubo will also be present to share his industry insight. Born in Orinoco A, in Bushbuckridge, Skeem Saam actor Thabo Mkhabela will have somewhat of a homecoming at the festival. 'I'm honoured to be part of the Bushbuckridge Film Festival,' shared Mkhabela. 'It feels good to return home and contribute to a platform that empowers our local talent.' The festival is committed to accessibility and community inclusion. Screenings and festival events will take place across five key villages in Bushbuckridge — Manyeli Village, Utah Community Hall, Obrigado Hombesed Care in Zoeknog (Pharea Village), Hluvukani Hall, and Mabharule Village in Lillydale — bringing the big screen directly to the people. 'This grassroots approach sparks dialogue, fosters pride in local talent, and redefines what cultural access looks like in rural spaces,' said the festival coordinator, Khoza. NOW READ: It's World Emoji Day😊: From 😂 to why we can't stop using them
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
NBA veteran Chris Paul hints at retirement within this year. Here's more
Chris Paul, an NBA veteran with a history of holding the record for second-most assists, may soon be retiring from the league as revealed by him recently. The San Antonio Spurs point guard has previously hinted at what he would want to do once the final ball drops and has revealed his reasons for stepping off the court. Chris Paul hints at retirement within a year after 20 seasons in the NBA, prioritizing family time over basketball. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)(AP) ALSO READ| New York Knicks hire Mike Brown, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year Paul gives it 'at the most, a year' During an appearance at the American Black Film Festival, Paul revealed that he gives his NBA career 'at the most, a year' and announced plans to retire soon after. "I just finished my 20th season, which is a blessing in itself. I've been in the NBA for more than half of my life, which is a blessing. But these years you do not get back with your kids, with your family,' he reasoned. This means that 2025 could well prove to be Paul's last season on the court. Although no longer in his prime, the 40-year-old player started all 82 games with the Spurs last season and put up 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He has previously played for the New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, besides the Spurs and has made nine All-Defensive Teams and 11 All-NBA Teams. His Suns made it to the NBA Finals in 2021 but lost out to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. The retirement plan It seems change is in order for the 12-time All-Star as his current free agent status reveals that he is looking to end his career in a different team. As revealed by Dallas Hoops Journal, the player has been linked to the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, and Charlotte Hornets this offseason. NBA insider Marc Stein recently revealed that interest from the Hornets and Dallas Mavericks was turned down by the player. Although Paul hasn't publicly stated his expectations from a fresh team, an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show from last month gave some clarity into what's going on his mind. 'My son just turned 16,' he said. ALSO READ| Tom Brady almost considered retiring from the NFL early. Here's exactly why 'My daughter is 12. The past six seasons, I've lived without them. I go to San Antonio, Phoenix, Golden State—they were in Houston with me—Oklahoma City… I've been around a few teams, but I've been away from them the last six years. It's a little different. That's the conversation.' If this were to be the case, the Suns or the Clippers stand a better chance of closing a deal that allows Paul to stay close to his family in the process. By Stuti Gupta
New York Post
07-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Chris Paul hints at retirement after 20 NBA seasons
Chris Paul's next NBA season is sounding like a farewell tour — if he makes it that far. The future Hall of Fame point guard laid out his retirement plans in a recent interview with Jemele Hill. 'At the most a year,' Paul, 40, told the former ESPN host at the American Black Film Festival. 'You know I just finished my 20th season, which is a blessing in itself.' Paul explained that his family is instrumental in the process ind deciding when retirement is right for him. 'The more years that go by, it's more conversations with my family, with my kids,' Paul said. 'They have a lot of say so. They got a lot of input.' 4 Chris Paul says he will at most play one more NBA season. X/Underdog Paul remains a free agent after playing all 82 games last season for the Spurs, while averaging 8.8 points and 7.4 assists per game. The 12-time All-Star was linked to the Clippers last week but the AP reported that he wants to be a starter, 'which is part of the reason why he evidently hasn't made up his mind yet.' Paul was drafted by the Hornets in 2005 after starring for Wake Forest. 4 Chris Paul played for the Spurs last season. NBAE via Getty Images 4 Chris Paul with his first team, the New Orleans Hornets Getty Images Paul made an instant impact in the league, being named Rookie of the Year in 2006. He scored 16.1 points per game and dished out 7.8 assists that season. Paul was traded away from the Hornets to the Clippers in December 2011 for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu and an unprotected first-round pick. 4 Chris Paul with the Clippers. Paul J. Bereswill During his long career in the NBA, Paul has also played for the Rockets, Thunder, Suns and Warriors. But even with being with all of those teams, one thing has eluded Paul — an NBA championship. Despite consistently leading contending teams, Paul has only made one trip to the NBA Finals. Paul's Suns lost to the Bucks in six games in the 2021 Finals. Even without a championship, Paul is a lock for the Hall of Fame. He and LeBron James are the only players to have 20,000 points and 10,000 assists in their careers.
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chris Paul dropped an unsubtle hint about where he'll likely spend last NBA season
In the same interview where Chris Paul revealed this will be his last NBA season, he reiterated staying close to LA is a priority.'My wife and my kids are in LA… I love to play basketball, but I love my kids and my family more. That is gonna weigh a huge part on my decision on… After 20 NBA seasons, the legendary Chris Paul is almost ready to hang up his sneakers. But first, Paul wants one more bite at the apple, one more chance at the Larry O'Brien Trophy that has eluded him for his entire illustrious career. That, or he really just wants one more crack at high-level basketball competition. Either or. In a conversation with Jemele Hill at the 2025 American Black Film Festival, the 12-time All-Star said he has "at the most, a year" left in the NBA. Which, you know, isn't particularly shocking for someone who just turned 20 and has spent two decades playing professional basketball. Quite frankly, it's still impressive that Paul has the capacity to be a notable, positive contributor to an NBA team, given the considerable mileage on his odometer. No, no, what's more fascinating here is where Paul will likely spend his possible last NBA season. In the same conversation with Hill, Paul maintained it's his priority to stay close to home in Los Angeles so he can be around his family more. Hmm. Assuming this primarily refers to the Los Angeles Lakers and the L.A. Clippers, that doesn't leave many options, now does it? On paper, both the Lakers and Clippers could use someone like Paul. That's because a steady point-of-attack defender who facilitates with the best of them seldom has issues finding a job. For the Lakers, they don't really have much of a dependable perimeter defense in the first place. Any sort of smart, tenacious defending (and playmaking) would be a welcome boon for a team employing Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and a 40-year-old LeBron James. No disrespect to DeAndre Ayton in the frontcourt, but he's probably not moving the needle that much. As it stands, the purple and gold might ask too much of Paul in his twilight NBA campaign, but his impact would be undeniable. As for the Clippers, they are a team to "keep a very close eye" on regarding Paul, according to ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel. They have been busy stacking veterans like John Collins and Brook Lopez over the last week or so. Outside of his personal interests, Paul feels like a natural basketball fit in that regard for a Clippers team clearly looking to contend in 2025: Keep a very close eye on the Clippers not only adding Bradley Beal, once he is bought out by the Suns, but also bringing back Chris Paul for his final NBA season. One thing seems certain here. Whatever decision Paul ultimately comes to, his possible final NBA season should be a doozy to track from start to finish. We wouldn't have it any other way.
