RISE, a powerful short film written and directed by award-winning emerging filmmaker Jessica J. Rowlands, will premiere at the prestigious Tribeca Festival this June—making history as the first Zimbabwean film ever selected, short or feature.
Shot entirely on location in Zimbabwe with an all-African cast and crew, RISE is inspired by the extraordinary true story of Tobias Mupfuti, a boxing coach who transformed his own difficult childhood into a lifelong commitment to mentoring and supporting vulnerable children. Through his boxing academy and orphanage in Victoria Falls, Mupfuti provides a home and support to dozens of at-risk youths. Mupfuti, a long-time friend of the director, was actively involved in every step of the filmmaking process to ensure authenticity and emotional depth.
The film stars breakout child actor Sikhanyiso Ngwenya, who was discovered through street casting at just eight years old in a local township, and whose raw, heartfelt performance earned him Zimbabwe’s National Arts Merit Award (NAMA) for Outstanding Actor. Ngwenya stars opposite acclaimed Zimbabwean-born actor Tongayi Chirisa, known for his roles in international productions such as Mayfair Witches (AMC), Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount Pictures), and the hit comedy Mr. Bones. Chirisa brings nuanced depth to his portrayal of a reclusive coach grappling with his own past as he guides the young protagonist toward strength and safety.
Writer-director Jessica J. Rowlands, a two-time UCLA Screenwriting Award winner known for her emotionally resonant, action-infused coming-of-age stories, spent her formative years in Zimbabwe and is deeply committed to amplifying Zimbabwean stories and voices globally. RISE marks Rowlands’ directorial debut, the culmination of a three-year collaborative journey with local Zimbabwean artists and communities.
The film was produced by Joe Njagu, a pioneer of Zimbabwean cinema whose previous feature Cook Off became the first Zimbabwean film acquired by Netflix. RISE continues this groundbreaking legacy and represents a new era for African storytelling on the global stage. Cinematographer Jacques Naudé captures the raw beauty and emotional authenticity of Victoria Falls, vividly bringing the film’s poignant narrative to life.
RISE will premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival on June 8th in New York, with Jessica J. Rowlands, Tongayi Chirisa, Sikhanyiso Ngwenya, Tobias Mupfuti, and key crew members in attendance.
