‘This is the next phase’: Lawrence Maleka makes international film festival debut in Toronto
Maleka stars in 'Future Tense', a South African-Australian science fiction drama that had its world premiere at the festival.
South African actor and executive producer Lawrence Maleka has made his debut at the prestigious 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The festival, running until September 20, 2026, saw Maleka star in the science fiction drama 'Future Tense', set in a near-future Cape Town grappling with climate collapse. Maleka plays the role of Lwando alongside Kristen Raath and Qondiswa James. Directed by Jenna Cato Bass, the film premiered at TIFF as part of the Centrepiece programme.
Maleka, who also served as an executive producer, expressed his amazement at the global recognition his film has received. "The movie and the incredible recognition that it’s getting around the world is still kind of surreal. It’s humbling. It’s validation. It’s an incredible feeling to have our movie recognised at the Toronto International Film Festival," he stated.
Maleka credited the film's success to the tireless efforts of his team, emphasizing the significance of South African storytelling and craft on the international stage. He expressed a sense of responsibility to replicate this recognition in future projects.
Collaborating with a diverse team from Australia, New York and beyond, Maleka found the experience professionally rewarding. "We are excited about the prospects of what we can achieve as a production house, the kinds of shows that we wanna tell, the engagements that we wanna have with the audience," he shared. For Maleka, this moment marks the "next phase of my professional career."
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