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
Listed as Mail and Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans making a significant impact in the Film and Media category, 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 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 the curation and production company, Behind Her Lens Visuals, and the annual short film festival, Reel to Reality Film Festival, as a home for African independent films.
She has experience as a student and independent film director, which has accumulated international film festival selections across 3 short films. Her film, Umlindelo, won the Best Short Film Award at the Mashariki Film Festival in Rwanda in 2024 and her most recent film, I Think I Should Say Something, received Honorable mention at The Absurd Film Festival monthly awards in 2025, and is premiering at Africa Rising International Film Festival.
Mbali has worked as a Creative Researcher for some of the biggest Television Commercial pitches, alongside multiple local and international directors for Commercials and digital campaigns ranging from automobile, sports, retail, beauty, travel and more. Some notable Commercials include the Loerie Award Gold Film:Online Above 30s Volkswagen SA “LETS GO”, Loerie Finalists KFC "DANGEROUSLY DISTRACTING", CORONATION "HAPPY TEARS", which she served as a junior Director on.
As a film curator, she is devoted to amplifying African cinema through curation and under Behind Her Lens Visuals, she has showcased over 150 films to about 600 audiences, across 3 provinces. She 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 was also selected as 1 of 8 film festival directors for Durban International Film Festival’s Film Festival residency in 2025.
Mbali Mashaba
FOUNDER, DIRECTOR AND HEAD CURATOR
Listed as Mail and Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans making a significant impact in the Film and Media category, 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 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 the curation and production company, Behind Her Lens Visuals, and the annual short film festival, Reel to Reality Film Festival, as a home for African independent films.
She has experience as a student and independent film director, which has accumulated international film festival selections across 3 short films. Her film, Umlindelo, won the Best Short Film Award at the Mashariki Film Festival in Rwanda in 2024 and her most recent film, I Think I Should Say Something, received Honorable mention at The Absurd Film Festival monthly awards in 2025, and is premiering at Africa Rising International Film Festival.
Mbali has worked as a Creative Researcher for some of the biggest Television Commercial pitches, alongside multiple local and international directors for Commercials and digital campaigns ranging from automobile, sports, retail, beauty, travel and more. Some notable Commercials include the Loerie Award Gold Film:Online Above 30s Volkswagen SA “LETS GO”, Loerie Finalists KFC "DANGEROUSLY DISTRACTING", CORONATION "HAPPY TEARS", which she served as a junior Director on.
As a film curator, she is devoted to amplifying African cinema through curation and under Behind Her Lens Visuals, she has showcased over 150 films to about 600 audiences, across 3 provinces. She 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 was also selected as 1 of 8 film festival directors for Durban International Film Festival’s Film Festival residency in 2025.
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
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
I had such an amazing experience working with this team. The genuine love I felt towards me and my family was unmatched. Super professional and lovers of art.
Chanel Dupree - Independent filmmaker
USA
community messages
//We have worked with
06
2013 - 2025
//Community
2013 - 2025
//We have worked with
06
