Actress Avumile Qongqo at the screening of "The Last Ranger" at Montecasino in Johannesburg. Qongqo stars as as Khuselwa in the Oscar nominated film. Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
A private screening for the Oscar-nominated film “The Last Ranger” was held, Wednesday evening at Montecasino in Johannesburg.
The screening was attended by Grammy award-winning musicians Lebo M and flautist Wouter Kellerman, actress Lorcia Cooper, and comedian, and TV presenter Mpho Popps.
Directed by Cindy Lee, the film draws inspiration from the true story of Thandi, a rhino that miraculously survived a brutal poaching attack at the Kariega Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, and the brave woman who took on the fight to protect these iconic animals against all odds.
The stellar cast, includes Avumile Qongqo, Liyabona Mroqoza, and Makhaola Ndebele, the film is up for the top film prize in the Best Live Action Short Film category at the Hollywood Awards.
Red carpet at the screening of Oscar nominated short movie " The Last Ranger" at Montecasino on Wednesday. Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
The prestigious awards ceremony is set to take place on Sunday, March 2, in Los Angeles, California.
14-year-old Mroqoza who made her acting debut in the isiXhosa movie expressed her joy over the nomination and is confident that they can win the prize.
"When, not if, we win the Oscars, the feeling will be out of this world and something amazing to experience,” she explained in a recent interview.
The movie is produced by radio presenter and film producer, Anele Mdoda’s Rose & Oaks Media, and was shot during the Covid-19 pandemic as part of an anthology series, “When The World Stopped”.
Last year, “The Last Ranger” bagged several trophies at various international festivals, including accolades at the Pan African Film Festival (PAF), the American Conservation Film Festival, and the 48th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF).