South African-born Phumi Morare’s short film Lakutshon’ Ilanga (When the Sun Sets), has won Gold at the 49th Annual Student Academy Awards in the Narrative: Domestic Schools category.
“I’m deeply honored to be a Student Academy Award winner. To think that a personal story, based on my South African family history, can resonate with an international audience and receive this type of accolade is deeply humbling and inspiring. I am so grateful to the community that came around us to make this film possible against all odds.”
Shot on location in Soweto, Lakutshon’ Ilanga tells the story of a young, black nurse living in 1985 apartheid South Africa who must face her worst fears when she learns that her younger brother, an activist, may be in danger.
Currently based in Los Angeles, California, Morare submitted the film as her thesis for her MFA in Film Directing at Chapman University, along with fellow student Christine Cho in the role of producer, in 2019. The film has since received various accolades, including a Student BAFTA nomination and selection as a finalist in the 2021 American Black Film Festival’s Annual HBO Short Film Competition, not to mention screenings at some of the world’s most prestigious film festivals.
In the clip below Morare talks about the inspiration behind the movie.
