Experience the SAFF 2026 Closing Gala on 19 July at Liverpool Powerhouse, featuring an Australian cinema exclusive, African music, food and storytelling.
Winter evenings have a way of inviting reflection. As daylight fades earlier across Sydney, cultural spaces begin to glow with a quieter kind of energy – one that encourages audiences to gather, listen and share stories. In Sydney's south-west, Liverpool Powerhouse will become one of those places on Sunday, 19 July 2026, as the SAFF 2026 Closing Gala brings the South African Film Festival to its conclusion during Mandela Month.
The evening will be more than a film screening. It will offer a meeting point between continents, generations and communities, where cinema, music and food come together to explore memory, identity and resilience. Set within the former Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, the gala will celebrate South African storytelling while recognising the cultural connections that continue to grow between Australia and southern Africa.
As guests arrive beneath the industrial architecture of the restored power station, the atmosphere will be one of quiet anticipation. Conversations will begin over a welcome drink, African rhythms will drift through the foyer, and the final chapter of the festival will unfold at an unhurried pace.
SAFF 2026 Closing Gala Celebrates Storytelling During Mandela Month
Held the day after Nelson Mandela International Day, the SAFF 2026 Closing Gala will carry a significance beyond the closing of a film festival.
Mandela Month encourages reflection on leadership, compassion and social change, making it a fitting backdrop for an event dedicated to stories that challenge, inspire and connect. Throughout its eight-year history, the South African Film Festival has presented films that explore history, culture and contemporary life while supporting educational initiatives through its charitable partnerships.
Entirely volunteer-run, the festival has earned its reputation as "The Festival with a Conscience," with proceeds supporting Education Without Borders and youth education and mentorship programs in South Africa. Every ticket purchased contributes to these ongoing initiatives, allowing audiences to participate in meaningful cultural exchange while supporting future opportunities for young people.
SAFF 2026 Closing Gala Presents An Australian Cinema Exclusive
At the heart of the evening will be the Australian cinema exclusive screening of Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, the acclaimed directorial debut of Embeth Davidtz.
Adapted by Davidtz from Alexandra Fuller's bestselling memoir, the film is set in Zimbabwe during the final years of the 1980 Independence War. Through a deeply personal perspective, it explores childhood, belonging and political change against a landscape shaped by uncertainty.
Following world premieres at the Toronto and Telluride film festivals, the production has received international recognition and has been named among the notable films of 2025 by leading critics. For Australian audiences, the SAFF 2026 Closing Gala will provide a rare opportunity to experience the film on the big screen before continuing conversations long after the credits roll.
The choice of film reflects the festival's broader commitment to stories that illuminate history through individual experience rather than spectacle, encouraging audiences to consider the lasting influence of place, family and memory.
Film, Music And Food Share The Same Stage
Long before the screening begins, the SAFF 2026 Closing Gala will invite guests to immerse themselves in the wider cultural experience.
From 5.30pm, visitors will be welcomed with a complimentary drink while DJ13, also known as April, provides a soundtrack of contemporary African beats throughout the venue. Rather than simply accompanying the evening, the music will establish an atmosphere of warmth and connection before audiences take their seats.
Those wishing to extend the experience will have the option of an African-inspired dining experience at Bellbird Restaurant, located within Liverpool Powerhouse. Created by Chef Federico Rekowski, the specially prepared menu will complement the evening's celebration of South African culture through flavours that encourage conversation and shared tables.
Together, the music, food and film will transform the gala into a cultural gathering rather than a conventional cinema event.
A Festival That Continues Beyond Closing Night
While the SAFF 2026 Closing Gala will conclude the live cinema program, the festival itself will continue online until 26 July across Australia and New Zealand.
More than 30 feature films, documentaries and short films will remain available, offering audiences the opportunity to explore contemporary South African cinema from home. Highlights include Pangolin: Journey to Freedom, The Heart Is a Muscle, Lucky Fish, Punter, It Runs in the Family, Sam Nzima: Journey Through His Lens, and the filmed performance of AIDA by the Cape Town Opera and Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
This year's program will also introduce a new category recognising emerging Australian-South African filmmakers, reflecting the creative dialogue developing between the two countries.
The breadth of the program demonstrates how South African cinema continues to evolve, presenting stories that examine family, politics, music, wildlife, identity and resilience through distinctly local perspectives that resonate well beyond national borders.
As the evening draws to a close and audiences leave Liverpool Powerhouse, the conversations are likely to continue into the cool winter night. Some will linger over the themes of the film, others will reflect on familiar histories viewed through unfamiliar perspectives, while many will simply carry with them the feeling of having shared an experience rooted in culture, generosity and connection.
Event Details
Event: SAFF 2026 Closing Gala
Date: Sunday, 19 July 2026
Venue: Liverpool Powerhouse (formerly Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre)
1 Powerhouse Road, Casula NSW
Time:
- 5:30pm – Welcome drink, African music and optional dining
- 6:30pm – Festival closing and exclusive screening of Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight
- Approx. finish: 8:30pm
Dining: Optional African-inspired meal at Bellbird Restaurant (advance booking recommended)
Online Festival: 26 June – 26 July 2026 (Australia & New Zealand)
Official Website: https://saff.org.au/
Gala Tickets: https://tickets.liverpoolpowerhouse.com.au/Events/South-African-Film-Festival-Closing-Night-Gala