AFRO VISIONARY MOVIE NIGHTS BRINGS GQOM NATION TO THE BIG SCREEN

AFRO VISIONARY MOVIE NIGHTS BRINGS GQOM NATION TO THE BIG SCREEN

A celebration of South African sound, youth culture and the movement that changed global dance music

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — September 2026 — Afro Visionary Movie Nights (AVMN) will present a special screening of Gqom Nation: The Documentary on 26 September 2026 at The Bioscope Independent Cinema in Johannesburg, bringing audiences back to the origins, energy and cultural significance of one of South Africa’s most influential musical movements.

Before gqom became a global sound, it was a movement — born from the townships of Durban and driven by a generation of young South Africans creating music on their own terms.

Directed by Batandwa Alperstein and produced by Neo Masekwameng, Gqom Nation: The Documentary explores the history and evolution of the genre through the DJs, producers, dancers, vocalists and cultural voices who helped shape its rise.

The documentary looks beyond gqom as simply a genre of dance music, exploring it as an expression of youth creativity, agency, identity and cultural ownership. It captures a pivotal moment when a distinctly South African sound began moving from local communities into national consciousness and, ultimately, onto the global stage.

For AVMN founder Neo Masekwameng, the screening is also an opportunity to reflect on why documenting African cultural movements matters.

“Gqom is part of our cultural history. It tells us something about a generation of young people who didn't wait for permission to create — they built their own sound, their own spaces and their own language. Bringing this documentary back to the big screen is about remembering where that energy came from and making space for the conversations that follow.”

Following the screening, Batandwa Alperstein and Neo Masekwameng will join moderator Kuntha Ndimande for a special post-screening conversation exploring the making of the documentary, the evolution of gqom and the importance of documenting African stories from within the communities that create them.

The evening will then move from cinema to the dance floor with a special DJ set by D[Nowhere]J, a distinctive voice in South Africa's contemporary gqom scene. Having performed across cities including Rome, Istanbul, Berlin, Oslo, Manchester and Amsterdam, D[Nowhere]J brings a sound rooted in Durban's gritty gqom energy and Soweto's spirit.

The event reflects AVMN's broader commitment to creating spaces where Black cinema, music, culture and conversation intersect.

“AVMN is about creating experiences around film,” says Masekwameng. “We want people to come into the cinema, see themselves, hear themselves, have meaningful conversations — and then celebrate together.”

EVENT DETAILS

Event: Afro Visionary Movie Nights presents Gqom Nation: The Documentary
Date: 26 September 2026
Venue: The Bioscope Independent Cinema, Johannesburg
Film: Gqom Nation: The Documentary
Director: Batandwa Alperstein
Producer: Neo Masekwameng
Post-screening conversation: Batandwa Alperstein & Neo Masekwameng, moderated by Kuntha Ndimande
DJ: D[Nowhere]J

Tickets: https://qkt.io/9KfGqK

Popcorn and a welcome drink will be provided as part of the AVMN experience.

ABOUT AFRO VISIONARY MOVIE NIGHTS

Afro Visionary Movie Nights (AVMN) is a Johannesburg-based cinematic and cultural platform founded by Neo Masekwameng, creating spaces for audiences to experience Black cinema through screenings, conversations, music and community.

AVMN is rooted in the belief that African stories deserve to be seen, discussed and celebrated on our own terms. Through its programming, the platform brings together filmmakers, artists, audiences and cultural practitioners to explore the many ways Black stories shape how we understand ourselves and the world around us.

MEDIA CONTACT

Neo Masekwameng
Afro Visionary Movie Nights
???? nmasekwameng@gmail.com
???? 072-619-6203