Winning international award validates my Hollywood dreams – Palesa Buyeye

JCS International Young Creatives Award winner, upcoming filmmaker Palesa Buyeye is ready to continue shaking up local storytelling.

Her short film, Nokuthula Is Missing, received recognition from the awards presented by the 2024 International Emmys two weeks ago, focused on empowering young creatives from around the world while opening dialogue on their message of peace.

The theme for this year was “Stand Up for Peace – Building Dialogue & Understanding”.

Buyeye's short film calls for an urgent need for reform in SA's justice system, especially when it comes to the response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) cases. Two other short films were recognised – A Refugee's Plea for Peace by Goitom Weldu from Ethiopia and Peace of Music by Sushant Nagpal from India.

“...[this moment] still feels so surreal. It is crazy to me. It is honestly beyond a dream coming true. More than anything, it is a testament to me that God is always in the room when you are dreaming. He is always in the room when you are talking, writing and even trying,” said Buyeye. 

“I am also beyond grateful to the community we built that voted for our film which ultimately got us in front of a jury of television and film executives and showrunners across the globe which landed us here.” 

The 28-year-old aspirant director and producer credits being raised in a matriarchal household for first igniting the spark in her for storytelling.

With her international recognition, Buyeye said she has finally received validation as a budding filmmaker. 

“I am definitely on the right track. It also means all my delusions and Hollywood dreams are possible and the stories burning inside of me are enough to get me noticed,” she said.

“I hope it opens doors to funding and backing from a platform perspective. Funding is one of the biggest challenges for a young filmmaker. I also hope this award opens doors for collaboration. I am someone who loves to collaborate.”