Masinga the Calling: Celebrating four nominations at the 2025 Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards
Mark Engels, producer and director of feature film Masinga the Calling
Image: Supplied
Feature film, Masinga the Calling has earned four nominations at the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards, including Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor Film.
For producer and director, Mark Engels These nominations are more than accolades, they are deeply personal. Engels’ journey in the film industry began in 1978 on the set of Udeliwe, where he worked alongside the late Simon Sabela himself.
This recognition for Engels is a tribute to the pioneering actor who helped shape his early years in the craft, and a reflection of how talent inspires talent across generations.
With a career spanning nearly four decades, Engles is no stranger to acclaim. He is a SAMA winner for My Afrikan Dream and a three-time recipient of the prestigious SASC award, including for his feature film Forgiveness.
Yet, it is the process of collaboration and community-rooted storytelling that continues to drive him. Masinga the Calling is a testament to this ethos, deeply grounded in the culture, language, and spiritual traditions of KwaZulu-Natal, where Engles was born and raised.
Supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA), Masinga the Calling received critical funding that not only signalled regional endorsement but unlocked further investment from national entities like the National Film and Video Foundation, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and Industrial Development Corporation.
Though funding delays posed significant challenges, including a costly bridging loan from overseas, Engles remained committed to completing a film that represents the heart of KZN.
Through his company IMPI Films and the Kwela Film Academy Trust, Engles is creating pathways for emerging talent in the province. The production of Masinga the Calling, alone trained 10 young creatives through on-set mentorship and support.
As he looks to the future, Engles remains anchored in KZN, determined to grow the region’s filmmaking infrastructure and mentor a new generation of technically skilled storytellers. His advice to them is clear: pursue excellence relentlessly, stay humble, and remember that filmmaking is a craft, one that must be nurtured with professionalism, honesty, and heart.
The Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards will take place on July 19 in Durban.