Glenwood High School Grade 8 pupil, Bonga Mhlongo has clinched the Best Actor award for his remarkable performance in the short film Father’s Day while the movie has clinched the Oscar qualifying Best Live Action Short Film Award at the 40th Annual Chicago International Children’s Festival.
Mhlongo portrays the lead character, Alakhe, a 12-year-old boy who is being raised by a single mother. As the class nerd, Alakhe is selected to give a speech for a Father’s Day school event. He then embarks on a poignant journey to discover the father he’s never known.
Despite his mother’s reservations, Alakhe goes ahead to uncover his paternal roots, leading to unexpected revelations and emotional complexities.
The movie, having garnered widespread acclaim has earned accolades at prestigious festivals worldwide including the following:
- Best International Short at the Mansfield Town Film Festival (2023)
- Best Actor in a Short Film awarded to Bonga Sizwe Mhlongo (2023)
- Best Short Film at the Garden Route International Film Festival (2023)
- Best International Film at the DC Black Film Festival (2023)
- Best Live Action Short Film, an Oscar Qualifying Award at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (2023)
- Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Director in a Short Film, and Best Short Film at the Global Cinema Online Film Festival (2023)
- Best Narrative Short Film at the San Antonio Black International Film Festival (2023)
- Best International Short Film at the Overcome Film Festival (2023)
- Best Pan African Short at the African Film Festival Kenya (2023)
