Tata Iqhinga - Lokuzondla Featured at New York City Lift-Off Film Festival 2026

Tata Iqhinga - Lokuzondla has been officially selected for the Features program at the New York City Lift-Off Film Festival 2026 - a proud moment for our team and for everyone who helped bring this story to life.

Out of 104 films chosen for this year’s lineup, our film stands alongside a diverse international slate of voices, from first-time filmmakers to seasoned directors.

This selection is more than a screening; it is a global recognition that affirms our creative choices and propels our work onto a wider stage.

About The Festival

Lift-Off is a month-long festival that unfolds in stages, beginning with a Filmmaker Preview Weekend that gives creators an early look at their listings before the public launch.

Once the festival goes live, audience voting opens and filmmakers receive daily performance updates so they can track how their films are resonating around the world.

The highest-scoring films, determined by a combination of audience and jury scores, progress to the Network Round Final; films that reach the Network Round become eligible for nomination at the festival’s Season Awards.

Although the festival’s public run is scheduled from 29 June to 26 July 2026, the festival's film main screening - open to everyone; took place on 1 June, giving global audiences an early opportunity to experience the film together.

That public screening was a moment of shared viewing across time zones and continents and it underscored how stories can travel & connect people regardless of geography.

The Filmmaker Preview Weekend and the festival’s online platform have made it possible for viewers everywhere to watch, vote and comment, turning a single screening into a worldwide conversation.

A Meaningful Milestone

For our team, this selection marks a meaningful milestone.

Tata Iqhinga - Lokuzondla has reached international audiences before, but being part of Lift-Off’s Features program feels especially elevating - it has given us clearer guidance, renewed confidence and permission to believe in the scale of our ambitions.

The festival’s combination of audience engagement and jury evaluation offers both immediate feedback and the possibility of further recognition, which can open doors to distribution, collaborations and future festival invitations.

A Collective Achievement

This achievement belongs to everyone who contributed: the cast, crew, collaborators & supporters who invested time, talent and faith in the project.

It also belongs to the audiences who watch and respond; every view, rating and share during the festival window helps determine whether the film advances to the Network Round Final and becomes eligible for Season Awards.

That collective participation is part of what makes a festival like Lift-Off truly global.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate this moment, we remain focused on the work ahead - continuing to share the film, listening to audience responses, and using this momentum to reach new viewers.

Being featured at the New York City Lift-Off Film Festival 2026 is not just a line on a résumé; it is a milestone that honors our journey so far and elevates us toward the next chapter.