OBITUARY: Liza Key — a ‘dizzying disruptor’ at the heart of South Africa’s film scene

Liza Key passed away on October 11, 2026, at the age of 71, leaving behind a lasting impact on South Africa's film scene. She challenged apartheid censorship, supported filmmakers, and brought humanity to stories of injustice, paving the way for new possibilities in South African storytelling. Born in 1954, Liza grew up in Witbank, Eastern Transvaal, and completed her education at the University of Natal.

After a stint as a shiphand, she arrived in Johannesburg in the mid-1980s and became an integral part of the alternative film world. In 1988, she took over the Weekly Mail Film Festival, which had been founded the previous year, and transformed it into a groundbreaking platform for alternative cinema.

Liza possessed an insouciant beauty, untamed hair, and eyes filled with mischief. She was known for her charming personality, tenacious spirit, and unacquaintedness with reality, which likely contributed to the success of the festival. Her encyclopedic knowledge of film, ability to make seemingly insignificant issues into significant events, and charismatic presence attracted funders and collaborators alike.

Liza's personal life was just as vibrant, as she often appeared in eccentric attire, attracting the attention of potential funders. She befriended the still-exiled ANC's cultural commissars, further solidifying her influence on South Africa's cultural landscape.