Old Righteous Blues wins Best African Film at the Septimius Awards 2025 - Accepted by Carol Shore

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands — South African cinema scored a major international victory as the powerful musical drama Old Righteous Blues was honored with the Best African Film award at the Septimius Awards 2025. The announcement was a highlight of the glamorous ceremony held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, within the exquisite, historical confines of the Tuschinski Theater in Amsterdam.

Directed by Muneera Sallies and originally conceived by screenwriter Carol Shore, the film had already made a significant impact on the international circuit, notably serving as South Africa’s submission for the 97th Academy Awards. This win at the Septimius Awards, a global platform dedicated to promoting diverse and outstanding filmmaking, further solidifies its acclaim and shines a crucial spotlight on the rich narrative tradition of African cinema.

The Screenwriter Represents the Production

With the director unable to attend, the award was accepted by the film’s celebrated screenwriter and original conceiver, Carol Shore. Shore’s journey with the film's concept dates back nearly three decades, making her appearance on the Tuschinski stage a deeply personal and meaningful moment of culmination.

Accepting the award on behalf of the entire South African cast and crew, Shore’s presence underscored the deep roots of the story in the Western Cape community it portrays. The award recognized not only the director’s skill in bringing the vision to life but also Shore’s dedication to a project that required years of development and commitment to the local culture. The honor in Amsterdam serves as a powerful testament to the universal appeal of a story rooted in a specific, unique South African heritage.

A Community's Quest for Harmony

Old Righteous Blues is a compelling small-town drama set against the backdrop of the vibrant and highly competitive Kerskoor (Christmas Choir) tradition of South Africa's Western Cape. The film delves into the life of a young man, Hantjie Jansen, who has waited his entire life for the chance to lead his town’s legendary Christmas Choir Band. His dream is to restore the "Old Righteous Blues" choir to its former glory.

However, Hantjie’s ambition is complicated by a bitter, decades-long feud ignited by his late father that has split the community and the choir into two fiercely opposed factions. This painful division has haunted the town for twenty years, leading to a relentless rivalry that has torn families apart and tested community loyalty.

The narrative meticulously charts Hantjie’s titanic struggle to reconcile the ghosts of the past, confront the deeply ingrained limitations imposed by the feud, and rise above the established community constraints. The choir band, with its music, rhythm, and powerful sense of tradition, serves as a crucial metaphor for the fractured soul of the town. The film explores universal themes of redemption, legacy, forgiveness, and the immense courage required to seek unity amidst entrenched division.

The film is lauded for its sensitive and authentic portrayal of this unique cultural tradition, which is seldom seen in mainstream international cinema. It captures the infectious joy and spiritual significance of the choirs while never shying away from the real-world consequences of historical conflict on the lives of ordinary people.

African Cinema on the Global Stage

The Best African Film category at the Septimius Awards seeks to champion the diverse voices and exceptional cinematic quality emerging from the African continent. Old Righteous Blues’s triumph against a strong field of nominees highlights the film’s exceptional technical merit, emotional honesty, and success in translating a deeply localized story into one that resonates with audiences globally.

The award ceremony in the grand, international setting of the Tuschinski Theater provided an ideal platform to celebrate this South African achievement. Carol Shore’s acceptance of the Best African Film award ensures that the story of Hantjie Jansen and the spirit of the Christmas choirs will continue to travel the world, underscoring the vital role of cinema in preserving cultural heritage and inspiring hope through powerful storytelling.