WILDFIG
COLLECTIVE
DIRECTED BY
NHLANHLA MTHEMBU
WILDFIG
WILDFIG FILMS
COLLECTIVE
This was the beginning of my filmmaking journey.
I’d always noticed that every great film had a production company behind it—and they made sure you knew it. So I figured: if anyone was going to take me and my work seriously, I needed a production company of my own.
That’s how WildFig Films was born.
I like figs. They’re not my favorite fruit, but there’s something about them, unusual, rich, kind of mysterious. And “wild” just felt right. I can be a bit of a wild card, and my films were about to be just as bold and unpredictable. WildFig Films had a ring to it. It felt like me.
The rest? History in the making.
WILDFIG
WILDFIG
COLLECTIVE
COLLECTIVE
THE TYPEWRITER
WILDFIG
18 December 2024
I worked on a short film titled The Typewriter.
In this 4-minute psychological drama, Sam becomes consumed by his obsession with his typewriter, shutting out the world as he spirals deeper into his own mind. Every thought, every moment, revolves around the machine. He'll do anything to keep typing.
A collaboration between WildFig Films and SHiiNE Productions, The Typewriter explores the fine line between inspiration and obsession, creativity and madness. It's a haunting portrait of a man lost in the very thing that once gave him purpose: his words.
The Typewriter was a collaboration with my longtime friend Ayabulela Philibane. We co-created the film from the ground up, pulling in close friends to bring it to life. I wrote the script, and he handled the camera with my lead.
The story centers on Sam, played by Xolani Radebe, whose obsession with his typewriter drives him into isolation. The supporting cast, Ealuy Ramaboea, Siyabonga Radebe, and Bradley Chiwanda, brought depth and tension to Sam’s unraveling world. My friends, the best cast in the world.
Aya, a natural connector, of course brought a friend along—Nkosinathi Mbenya, the "cool guy" who ended up with Assistant Director credit thanks to how hands-on and essential he was during production.
The film was released on December 25th, giving us more than just Christmas to celebrate. Since then, The Typewriter has screened at three film festivals,one of which I co-founded (more on that later).
This short holds a special place in my heart. At the time of writing, I consider it my best work. But if you're reading this later, I’ve probably outdone myself.
The Typewriter is still on YouTube, feel free to watch it here:
WILDFIG
COLLECTIVE
COLLECTIVE
WILDFIG
WILDFIG
COLLECTIVE
COLLECTIVE
BORN FROM THE FIRE
After premiering The Typewriter on YouTube, I was riding an adrenaline high. The response was incredible, people genuinely loved it. I was proud of the film, but more than anything, I was proud of myself.
Two weeks later, still buzzing with excitement, I messaged two of my friends: Let’s make another one. I didn’t want to wait. I wanted to keep creating, to push myself in a new direction.
That’s how Born From the Fire came to life. No script. No shotlist. No plan. Just a feeling, a spark.
The idea was simple but surreal: a guy wanders through a forest-like area, stumbles on a mushroom, eats it, trips. He meditates. And in the final scene, he stares into a fire, and sees himself.
If you’re confused, you’re not alone. My friends had the same reaction when I pitched it. I didn’t have all the answers. I wasn’t even sure where I’d find mushrooms. All I had was the forest... and the idea.
But that was enough.
WILDFIG
The day came. All we had was an iPhone 13, no gimbal, just my hands for stabilization. Luckily, Mother Nature came through: we actually found mushrooms on the ground.
We had no idea if they were poisonous. But Bradley, who either loves me too much or was half-curious to trip for real, took a bite and spat it out. At least I think that’s why he did it. Maybe he changed his mind mid-chew. Either way, we kept rolling.
Somehow, we pulled it off—well, almost. The fire scene was intense. Literally. The flames were way too hot. We shot it anyway, but it was rushed, and I didn’t get to execute it the way I’d envisioned. Everyone was sweating. I won’t name names, but someone looked like they’d just stepped out of a sauna.
And yeah, fire is hot. Dangerous, even. But we did it anyway. Why? Because we love making films.
You might be picturing a man running around on fire right now. I won’t clear up any of your concerns. Go watch it and find out: https://youtu.be/QqaguvmVuf0?si=mY4sz4G1L_9vJPIB
COLLECTIVE
WILDFIG
COLLECTIVE
WILDFIG
WILDFIG
COLLECTIVE
COLLECTIVE
EVERYTHING & NOTHING IN BETWEEN
WILDFIG
The thing about being a filmmaker today? The ideas never stop.
But what happens when you’ve got the vision—just not the time or gear to make it real? Do you let it fade? Let someone else catch it from the ether?
Didn’t think so.
Everything & Nothing In Between is a visual experiment in meaning and randomness.
Made entirely from stock footage, this one-minute short blends surreal imagery with hypnotic sound design to become something both strangely familiar and completely unexplainable.
A film about nothing—and everything.
COLLECTIVE
WILDFIG
COLLECTIVE
WILDFIG
WILDFIG
COLLECTIVE
COLLECTIVE
INTROSPECTION
TWO SIDES OF THE COUCH
The Mountain.
That’s what I like to call this film.
Why? Because it was exactly that—a mountain. The first 15-minute script I’d ever written. The first dialogue-driven film I’d ever worked on. The first time directing a cast of actors who weren’t just my friends.
And what a cast.
Solange Nolan — an experienced actress in the industry.
Levi Green — a social media star known for his short-form content on TikTok.
Kim Mbingo — a talented musician from Swaziland.
How did I land them? Through a public casting call and a selective audition process. Every role was earned.
I call this film The Mountain because it was a mountain of emotions, challenges, and lessons—and I climbed it. We did a lot right. We did a lot wrong. But more than anything, we did it.
This film stands as my biggest learning curve to date—and one of my proudest achievements.
WILDFIG
WILDFIG
COLLECTIVE
COLLECTIVE
Introspection
This short film follows Noel and River, two individuals struggling to move on from a past relationship. Through parallel therapy sessions with Avery, their therapist, they reveal their versions of the breakup—each feeling broken by the other. When they unexpectedly cross paths at therapy, they are forced to confront their past and face the truth about their relationship.
WILDFIG
WILDFIG
COLLECTIVE
COLLECTIVE
WILDFIG
WILDFIG
COLLECTIVE
COLLECTIVE
MELANIN
After Introspection, I needed to step back. Breathe a little. Return to the comfort of what felt familiar.
So I made Melanin. A quiet, personal piece, starring my good friend Aya and some help from Xolani. Just the three of us, no pressure—just creation for the sake of it.
Will I work with actors again? Definitely. But for now, I’m enjoying the comfort of home.
WILDFIG
Melanin
An experimental culture-inspired short film that transcends style and aesthetics.
This is a cinematic celebration of Black culture
an artistic tribute to its depth, its diversity, its beauty.
It is not bound by geography, era, or trend.
It lives in motion, in texture, in silence.
This film explores the essence of Black identity across the globe
layered, timeless, and alive.
More than a look. More than a sound. This is black culture.