In a groundbreaking move for independent South African cinema, Hartzenberg Films has secured a multi-title exhibition agreement with Ster-Kinekor, bringing the upcoming Heart & Hustle anthology to select screens nationwide on 27 and 28 November 2025.
This landmark collaboration represents one of the most ambitious undertakings yet by an independent filmmaker, giving underrepresented voices - often unheard in mainstream cinema - a powerful national stage. It signals a moment of growth not just for award-winning filmmaker Enrico Hartzenberg, the visionary behind the project, but for the broader landscape of local filmmaking.
“We’re thrilled to support emerging talent such as Enrico and Hartzenberg Films. Screening local films in cinema is vital to keeping the culture of cinema-going alive in South Africa, and we’re proud to play a role in showcasing stories that reflect the richness and complexity of our communities,” says Lynne Wylie, Chief Marketing Officer of Ster-Kinekor.
A Collection of Stories with Heart & Hustle
At the centre of the anthology is Ou Ses: Elke Move Tel, a tense, deeply human story about survival and redemption.
Set on the Cape Flats, the film follows Charles, a man returning home after serving time for a crime he didn’t commit - only to find his family home taken over by the very man who betrayed him. While the backdrop may be gritty, this is ultimately a story about courage, legacy, and what it means to fight for the ones you love, offering a fresh, emotionally charged perspective that transcends the familiar tropes of Cape Flats cinema.
The anthology also includes three of Hartzenberg Films’ most acclaimed short films:
- Sister Dinges - a grief-fuelled revenge story told through a queer lens.
- After Quiet - a reflective exploration of silence, memory, and healing
- Mr. Isaacs - a powerful narrative examining masculinity and generational trauma
For Hartzenberg, this exhibition agreement represents far more than a personal milestone - it’s a blueprint for how independent filmmakers can take charge and bring authentic, local stories to the forefront of South African cinema.
“This exhibition agreement isn’t just a win for Ou Ses: Elke Move Tel or Heart & Hustle,” says Hartzenberg, founder of Hartzenberg Films. “It’s a powerful affirmation that our stories – urgent, emotional, and deeply rooted in the South African experience – deserve to be seen on the big screen. It’s proof that independent voices can thrive when given the right platform.”
The Heart & Hustle anthology will premiere at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas nationwide from 27 November to 07 December 2025, including V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, Garden Route Mall in George, Baywest in Gqeberha, and Rosebank Nouveau in Johannesburg.
Following the premiere in Cape Town on 27 November, Hartzenberg will host meet-and-greet sessions at Baywest on 30 November, Garden Route Mall on 02 December, and at Rosebank Nouveau on 04 December. These events will offer audiences a unique opportunity to engage with the filmmaker, celebrate local cinema, and gain insight into the stories and creative vision behind Heart & Hustle.
Bookings are now open on the new-look website at www.sterkinekor.com or download the new-look SK App on your smartphone. For news and updates, go to Facebook: Ster-Kinekor Theatres | follow Ster-Kinekor on Twitter: @Ster-Kinekor. For all queries, call Ticketline on 0861-Movies (668 437).
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