Tourism
76 Hours in Soweto | Day 1: Biyo Festival
A multi-venue film screening festival at various select arts & culture spaces across Soweto throughout the day, each curated to provide a unique viewing experience, encouraging attendees to explore different venues.
Screenings will showcase different films about June 16, community development, human injustices, etc, including Q&A sessions with directors, film experts, and key cultural figures, offering audiences deeper insights into the stories. Each venue will incorporate local music, performance art, and exhibitions to create a holistic cultural experience.
Event Details
SATURDAY,
13 JUNE 2026
12:00PM to 9:00PM
113 Machaba Street, Mofolo Central, Johannesburg, 1810, South Africa
Age Restrictions:
All ages allowed
Cost:
Free
Location
113 Machaba Street, Mofolo Central, Johannesburg, 1810, South Africa
1st screening: Eyethu Heritage Hall
Located on the First Floor of the Eyethu Shopping Centre, The historic Eyethu Cinema, now reopened as Eyethu Heritage Hall, was founded in 1969 by Ephraim Batana and Caroline Kinini Tshabalala. Today, the family-run Eyethu Heritage Hall keeps that spirit alive, with colourful exhibits, cultural events, and a living legacy that continues to inspire and teach new generations. Eyethu Cinema was one of South Africa’s first black-owned cinemas at a time when such dreams were nearly impossible. Yet it was more than a place to watch films – it was a hub of black excellence, storytelling, and cultural pride.
Step inside Eyethu Heritage Hall today, and the walls proudly hold stories of the past. With a bright and youthful atmosphere, the space brings history to life while celebrating the profound impact of Eyethu Cinema on the community. Old newspaper archives have been unearthed to ensure every story is fact, not myth. Colourful displays trace the family’s journey and showcase the cinema’s legendary music line-ups, featuring local and international artists.
Screening details
- Saturday, 13 June 2026
- 113 Machaba Street, Mofolo Central, Soweto
- 12h00 to 14h30
- Screening: "Beyond Forgiveness" (2013, 28 min) A profound documentary following Ginn Fourie and Letlapa Mphahlele on a true journey of healing and reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa. A story of tragedy, forgiveness and hope.
2nd screening: Soweto Gallery
Nestled within what appears to be an ordinary historic red brick four-room “matchbox” home in Orlando West, Soweto Gallery quietly surprises visitors
with its striking blend of heritage architecture and contemporary elegance. Behind its modest exterior lies a vibrant and thoughtfully curated space where creativity, culture, and community come alive. Rooted in the heart of Soweto, the space serves as a platform for connection, inspiration, and transformation, bringing together local and international visitors through meaningful cultural experiences.
Step inside Soweto Gallery and discover a living celebration of township creativity and innovation. The space brings together art, storytelling, entrepreneurship, and tourism in a way that reflects the energy and resilience of Soweto itself. Young and established creatives gather here to exchange ideas, collaborate, and reimagine the future of the creative industries. By creating opportunities for local artists to exhibit their work and access international audiences, the gallery helps amplify emerging voices while opening pathways into the global creative economy.
Screening details
- Saturday, 13 June 2026
- 7533 Maseko Street, Orlando West, Soweto
- 15h00 to 17h30
- Screening: "Ubani Lore?" (2025, 10 min) A wildly original South African surrealist comedy, three odd friends on a bizarre quest for a book that doesn't exist. Celebrated for its grassroots storytelling and national community tour.
3rd Screening: Native Rebels
Accessed from the ground floor of Makhetha Shopping Centre, Native Rebels is housed in what used to be Roots Restaurant and Gallery, a popular Soweto spot that opened in 2008. If you visited back in the day, you’ll be glad to see the familiar reclaimed wood furniture and Tyrolean-style bar still standing. Under its new ownership, the space retains much of the charm that made it special from the start. This eatery and bar is as much about relaxed global flavours as it is rooted in the spirit of the local community. It's the kind of place where everyone is welcome.
A few of the characterful touches you'll notice when your eyes wander around this space are the signature bookshelf, shaped like a human head, 1970s protest posters, striking photographs by Tshepiso Seleke, trailing plants, and plenty of Jägermeister merch scattered around. The interior feels like an Austrian ski lodge meets Joburg lounge, while the outside deck wouldn't be out of place along a Durban high street.
Screening details
- Saturday, 13 June 2026
- 1345 Kadebe Street, Central Western Jabavu, Soweto
- 18h00 to 21h00
- Screening: Closing Ceremony - Philani Brown Retrospective
The closing ceremony celebrates an established filmmaker whose journey can inspire young storytellers — a reminder that beginnings don't define the future. Through screenings, conversation and reflection, Philani Brown traces the evolution of his voice from early shorts to a bold, celebrated body of work.