Curating immersive cinematic experiences that go beyond traditional screenings to create profound, human-centered cultural moments
Curating immersive cinematic experiences that go beyond traditional screenings to create profound, human-centered cultural moments
Behind Her Lens Visuals, a South African based film creative agency that aims to provide accessible stories to audiences on the African continent and the African diaspora, in order to bridge the gap between industry professionals, first time, emerging storytellers and their audiences.
Behind Her Lens Visuals, a South African based film creative agency that aims to provide accessible stories to audiences on the African continent and the African diaspora, in order to bridge the gap between industry professionals, first time, emerging storytellers and their audiences.
CURATION AND PRODUCTION HOUSE
We operate as a film curating agency and production house, that hosts curated film screenings and co-curates screenings with aligned organisations. Our film events include Reel Nights, Women in film and Reel to Reality Festival.
We operate as a film curating agency and production house, that hosts curated film screenings and co-curates screenings with aligned organisations. Our film events include Reel Nights, Women in film and Reel to Reality Festival.
PERSONAL IS POLITICAL
At Behind Her Lens Visuals, we believe that the personal is political, and our films are an exploration of that through our femme lead film productions. Our films aim to explore diverse expressions of black life, often centering the female perspective. Our films are a blend of highly visual storytelling, and intimate explorations of identity, through thematically crafted narratives. Our aim is to showcase these films, alongside those in the African diaspora through film festivals and curated events.
At Behind Her Lens Visuals, we believe that the personal is political, and our films are an exploration of that through our femme lead film productions. Our films aim to explore diverse expressions of black life, often centering the female perspective. Our films are a blend of highly visual storytelling, and intimate explorations of identity, through thematically crafted narratives. Our aim is to showcase these films, alongside those in the African diaspora through film festivals and curated events.
our founder
our founder
Mbali Mashaba
FOUNDER, DIRECTOR AND HEAD CURATOR
Mbali Mashaba is a South African Creative Researcher, Film director and Film curator. She completed an Honours degree in Film and Television studies at the University of the Witwatersrand and a film residency in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2020, where she lived and studied at Gothenburg University. She is passionate about storytelling, nuanced representations of African diasporic life and shaping stories around the complex lives of black women. Her passion for visual storytelling led her to creating Behind Her Lens Visuals and the annual film festival, Reel to Reality Festival, as a home for African indie films.
As a film curator, she is devoted to amplifying African cinema through curation and was selected as a part of Scotland's Africa in Motion Emerging Curator Cohort in 2022, was a guest curator for The Independent Cinema Office (UK) Screening days: Young Audiences 2023 programme and hosted Africa Rising International Film festival Africa in Frame panel in 2023.
She has experience as a student and indie film director, which has accumulated international film festival selections including: Africa International Film Festival, Accra Indie Film Fest, FAME Film Shorts festival and the Silicon Valley African Film festival to name a few. Her most recent film, Umlindelo, won the Best Short Film Award at the Mashariki Film Festival in Rwanda in 2024.
She also works as a freelance Creative Researcher for Television Commercial pitches alongside multiple Directors for local and international Commercials ranging from automobile, sports, retail, beauty, travel and more! Some notable Commercials include Loerie Award Gold Film:Online Above 30s Volkswagen SA “LETS GO”, Loerie Finalists KFC "DANGEROUSLY DISTRACTING", SAVANNA "COMICS DO IT BETTER", CORONATION "HAPPY TEARS".
Mbali Mashaba
FOUNDER, DIRECTOR AND HEAD CURATOR
Mbali Mashaba is a South African Creative Researcher, Film director and Film curator. She completed an Honours degree in Film and Television studies at the University of the Witwatersrand and a film residency in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2020, where she lived and studied at Gothenburg University. She is passionate about storytelling, nuanced representations of African diasporic life and shaping stories around the complex lives of black women. Her passion for visual storytelling led her to creating Behind Her Lens Visuals and the annual film festival, Reel to Reality Festival, as a home for African indie films.
As a film curator, she is devoted to amplifying African cinema through curation and was selected as a part of Scotland's Africa in Motion Emerging Curator Cohort in 2022, was a guest curator for The Independent Cinema Office (UK) Screening days: Young Audiences 2023 programme and hosted Africa Rising International Film festival Africa in Frame panel in 2023.
She has experience as a student and indie film director, which has accumulated international film festival selections including: Africa International Film Festival, Accra Indie Film Fest, FAME Film Shorts festival and the Silicon Valley African Film festival to name a few. Her most recent film, Umlindelo, won the Best Short Film Award at the Mashariki Film Festival in Rwanda in 2024.
She also works as a freelance Creative Researcher for Television Commercial pitches alongside multiple Directors for local and international Commercials ranging from automobile, sports, retail, beauty, travel and more! Some notable Commercials include Loerie Award Gold Film:Online Above 30s Volkswagen SA “LETS GO”, Loerie Finalists KFC "DANGEROUSLY DISTRACTING", SAVANNA "COMICS DO IT BETTER", CORONATION "HAPPY TEARS".
Mbali Mashaba
FOUNDER, DIRECTOR AND HEAD CURATOR
Mbali Mashaba
FOUNDER, DIRECTOR AND HEAD CURATOR
//our community says
06
2013 - 2025
//Community
2013 - 2025
//our community says
06
2013 - 2025
Community Messages
Community Messages
Thank you for creating spaces we can come to and connect.
Chloe Turner, Creative Producer
SA
Thank you for creating spaces we can come to and connect.
Chloe Turner, Creative Producer
SA
I loved debuting my work at this beautiful festival; the event team was very welcoming and friendly. It was an incredible experience, and I would participate in other years for sure.
Rodrigo Pépe - Gaspacho Filmes,
BRAZIL
Beautiful ensemble.
LEMI MWANIKI, Film Producer
SA
Amazing films showcased, loved every one of them.
Candice Myataza Artist
SA
