Rise

Rise (2025)

A charismatic young boy who lives on a rubbish dump in Zimbabwe must convince a reclusive boxing coach to teach him to fight in order to find safety and strength in a world that has left him behind.

Date of release
2025-06-08
TMDB
10.0 / 10 (2)
Runtime
22m
Genres
Drama
Director
Jessica J. Rowlands

Casting

Interesting facts

Rise is a Zimbabwean 2025 short film written and directed by Jessica J. Rowlands and produced by Joe Njagu. Starring Tongayi Chirisa and Sikhanyiso Ngwenya, the film follows a young boy navigating hardship and seeking safety and hope in a hostile environment. It is the first Zimbabwean film to screen at the Tribeca Festival, and was eligible for Oscar consideration for the 2026 Academy Awards.

Production

Rise was written and directed by Jessica J. Rowlands and produced by Joe Njagu. The film was shot on location in Zimbabwe using a fully African cast and crew. It was inspired by the true story of Victoria Falls–based boxing coach Tobias Mupfuti, whose work with vulnerable children informed the narrative. Mupfuti collaborated with the filmmakers throughout production to ensure an authentic portrayal.

Read on Wikipedia · Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Data from Wikidata.

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