Spotlight is our entertainment bite-sized snapshot featuring new entertainment releases in SA, exclusive film trailers and much more. New episodes are out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and on YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook.

Spotlight looks in on the British Academy Film Awards (Baftas) held this past week, the Johannesburg Film Festival coming next week, and a new erotic thriller.

Intense, sultry cinema offering Miller's Girl has award-winning Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings) as a teacher who enters a complicated relationship during a creative writing assignment with a student played by Jenna Ortega (Wednesday). It explores how easily lines can be crossed when temptation and boundaries are not recognised, and the devastating consequences of these actions. Directed and written by Jade Halley Bartlett, it is on at cinemas.

The 77th Baftas were held on February 18 in London, honouring the best British national and foreign films of 2023. Hosted by David Tennant, the biggest winner was Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which scooped best original score, director, leading actor and supporting actor and other top prizes. Poor Things won five awards, including best actress for Emma Stone, and The Zone of Interest and The Holdovers also made their mark. However, it was Michael J Fox’s surprise appearance as a presenter that provoked the biggest emotional response and a standing ovation. Notable award omissions in the award stakes included Killers of The Flower Moon, Maestro, Saltburn and Barbie, sparking curiosity for what will happen at the Oscars on March 11.

The Johannesburg International Film Festival kicks off on February 28 and concludes on March 3. Content industry professionals across all sectors will gather next week to showcase African and international films. The occasion, with a line-up not to be missed, also brings together up-and-coming film-makers for opportunities around skills transfer and networking. 

Don’t miss this week’s segment of upcoming blockbusters Twisters, starring Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) and Daisy Edgar-Jones (Where the Crawdads Sing), plus a new instalment of the ever-popular Deadpool franchise, Deadpool & Wolverine, from director Shawn Levy, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. We will also get a glimpse of Pixar Animation’s anticipated release of Inside Out 2.

• Book your cinema tickets by visiting sterkinekor.com and numetro.co.za.

For full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips, visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies!

Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events.

Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns.

Competition giveaway: Film festival tickets

Spotlight has daily movie tickets to the Johannesburg International Film Festival up for grabs.

To stand in line to win, answer the competition questions via the Spotlight Facebook page, and DM your answers and contact details by February 28 2024.

Terms and conditions apply.

Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed. Entrants’ personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driver’s licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight South Africa on Facebook. Employees of Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.