‘RISE’ Makes History - Zimbabwean Film Selected for Tribeca Festival Premiere, June 8

 ‘RISE’ 

Makes History as First Zimbabwean Film Selected for Tribeca Festival Premiere, June 8 

History will be made this June when RISE, a short film written and directed by Zimbabwean-raised filmmaker Jessica J. Rowlands, premieres at the 2025 Tribeca Festival—marking the first time a film from Zimbabwe (short or feature) has ever been selected for the prestigious New York event.

A deeply personal and emotionally charged directorial debut, RISE tells a powerful story of resilience, community, and healing. The film is inspired by the real-life journey of Tobias Mupfuti, a boxing coach from Victoria Falls who turned his own painful childhood into a mission to care for vulnerable youth. Today, through his orphanage and boxing academy, Mupfuti provides shelter, mentorship, and opportunity to dozens of children in need.

Shot entirely on location in Zimbabwe with an all-African cast and crew, RISE is a testament to both the beauty of Zimbabwe and the strength of its people. Mupfuti, a close friend of Rowlands, worked closely with the production team to ensure the story’s authenticity, both emotionally and culturally.

The film introduces rising star Sikhanyiso Ngwenya, a child actor discovered through street casting at just eight years old in a local township. Ngwenya delivers a breakout performance that earned him Zimbabwe’s National Arts Merit Award (NAMA) for Outstanding Actor. He stars opposite internationally acclaimed actor Tongayi Chirisa (Mayfair Witches, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Mr. Bones), who brings haunting vulnerability to the role of a reclusive coach confronting his past.

Director Jessica J. Rowlands, a two-time UCLA Screenwriting Award winner, has built a reputation for coming-of-age stories rooted in emotional truth. Having spent her formative years in Zimbabwe, Rowlands’ commitment to uplifting Zimbabwean voices is both personal and urgent. RISE is the result of a three-year creative journey with Zimbabwean artists and communities.

“This story belongs to Zimbabwe,” Rowlands says. “It’s an honor to help bring it to the world.”

The film’s producer Joe Njagu—a pioneer of Zimbabwean cinema—previously made waves with Cook Off, the first Zimbabwean feature acquired by Netflix. With RISE, Njagu continues to push boundaries, helping usher in a new chapter for African cinema on the global stage.

The film’s visuals, captured by cinematographer Jacques Naudé, highlight the raw beauty of Victoria Falls and the emotional gravity of its story. From the streets to the ring, every frame carries intention.

RISE will have its world premiere at Tribeca Festival on June 8, 2025, in New York City. Jessica J. Rowlands, Tongayi Chirisa, Sikhanyiso Ngwenya, Tobias Mupfuti, and members of the cast and crew will be in attendance.

For more information about screening times and tickets, visit tribecafilm.com.