It’s no secret that we love a good film festival at Out Takes, so we were excited to take a look at the South African Film Festival which returned to Melbourne and around Australia this May. For this show, we took a closer look at three films that showcase the diversity and talent of LGBTQ film makers and content coming out of South Africa that are featured in this years program. We were joined from South Africa the incredibly warm and talented creative duo Bonnie & Philani Sithebe to discuss their beautiful and confronting film ‘Valley of a Thousand Hills’ that explores the relationship and romance of two women set in a traditional, patriarchal and rural community in South Africa’s stunning Kwa-Zulu Natal region. We also discussed ‘Call me Miles’, a honest and exposing documentary that charts the challenging journey of Miles’ transition and his attempts to live a meaningful life and find acceptance and happiness as a trans man in modern day South Africa. We also reviewed the exquisitely and sensitively filmed short documentary ‘Prayers for Sweet Waters’ that takes you into the lives of three transgender sex workers in Cape Town. The 2023 South African Film Festival is being held from May 4 – 31 in cinemas and online across Australia. This not-for-profit event is organised by a group of passionate volunteers to showcase South African talent, culture and diversity and support educational opportunities for disadvantaged children.