Silwerskermfees launches a line-up of new hit series
The kykNET Silwerskermfees isn’t just a premier event where new films are unveiled and industry professionals rub shoulders – it has, for the past two years, also spotlighted fresh television entertainment.
This year, pilot episodes of six brand-new series destined for kykNET and Showmax, will be screened at the festival. These include two investigative documentaries, two nail-biting dramas, a sensational reality show, and an insightful lifestyle programme.
- Jou MASE taal (kykNET documentary)
Jou MASE taal explores the complex relationship that coloured and black Afrikaans speakers have with the language. Produced by IdeaCandy and directed by Stephanie Pekeur, this documentary series delves into how these speakers engage with Afrikaans, how it makes them feel, and the extent to which they embrace or reject it. Themes of identity, education, the workplace and politics are examined.
Featuring Fatima Abdool, Moenier “Monox” Adams, Terry-Ann Adams, Earl Basson, Allan Boesak, Deon Daniels (“DJ Ready D”), Christo Davids, Quintin “Jitsvinger” Goliath, Ephraim Gordon, Jason “Hakkiesdraad” Hartman, Edward Charles Human, Virginia Keppler-Young, Llewellyn MacMaster, Rozanne McKenzie, Pulane Nel-Sekepe, Janine “Blaq-Pearl” Overmeyer, and Chrislynn Sias
From Sunday, 21 September at 20:00 on kykNET and DStv Stream.
- Spoorloos: Losprys (kykNET drama series)
The fifth season of the anthology series Spoorloos, Spoorloos: Losprys, follows a wealthy game farmer, Brand (Louis Minnaar), whose teenage granddaughter Karla (Lienke Vermeulen) is kidnapped during her father Willem’s (Neels Clasen) murder trial – she is a key witness. Her mother, Lynette (Angelique Pretorius), is forced to turn to her ex-lover Frank (Laudo Liebenberg) for help as he is the only experienced detective in the area. But once the case is seemingly solved, another person goes missing – this time with no ransom demand or clues. Written by Mitzi Booysen and produced by Ohcre Moving Pictures.
Featuring Angelique Pretorius, Laudo Liebenberg, Neels Clasen, Lienke Vermeulen, Liam Bosman, Nahum Huges, Louis Minnaar, Melissa Willering, Deon Coetzee, Blyde Smit and Jacques Gombault
From Tuesday, 26 August 2025 at 20:00 on kykNET and DStv Stream.
- Vaal Riviera (Showmax reality series)
From the producers of The Mommy Club: Van die Hoofstad, POP24, comes Vaal Riviera, spotlighting four families from the Vaal Triangle as they prepare for the much anticipated “Opening of the Vaal River.” Cooler boxes are packed, boats prepped, and viewers are welcomed into their homes with no filters, just unvarnished reality. Expect flashy cars, big personalities, and family dynamics. As everyone gathers by the river, friendships form, tensions rise, and a competitive tube race sets the tone for the season. Beneath the festive surface, deeper undercurrents begin to stir.
Featuring Bernelee Arangies, Charl Arangies, Rianza Snyman, Riandi Deysel, Jay Jay Deysel, Lané Swart, and Corrie Swart
Streaming from Friday, 22 August 2025 on Showmax.
- Ontwaak (Showmax drama series)
What if your worst enemy is the only one who can save you? Ontwaak follows psychiatrist Melissa Human (Cindy Swanepoel) as she starts work at Noordlig, a facility for extremely dangerous patients. But she soon discovers a sinister cult, Horisonne, that has ensnared her daughter Adri (Minke Marais) and is led by her ex-fiancé, Melchior (Chris Chameleon). To save her daughter, Melissa must confront her darkest fears and partner with Alwyn Bekker (Carel Nel), a brilliant serial killer. Every answer unearths new dangers, and every decision comes at a cost. This is not just a battle against a cult, but also a psychological battle with the self. Award-winning playwright Wessel Pretorius is the writer, with André Velts as director and Sonvelt Media as producer. Sonvelt Media, which was also responsible for the Showmax series Reënboogrant, won the 2024 SAFTA for Best Made-for-TV Movie for ’n Tyd van Waterpere.
Featuring Cindy Swanepoel, Minke Marais, Chris Chameleon, Carel Nel, Sean-Marco Vorster, Christopher van der Westhuizen, Ray Buso, Dawid Minnaar, Fezile Mpela, Zetske van Pletzen, Elsabé Zietsman and Rika Sennett
Streaming from 2026 on Showmax.
- Fanaties (kykNET lifestyle series)
Fanaties centres on Natie Ferreira and his adventures in the world of antiques. From valuable to forgotten items, Natie uncovers objects from bygone eras and, more importantly, the stories behind them. The show also explores various fascinating restoration projects. Whether scouring dust-covered corners or working from his shop, Die Sinkhuisie in Pretoria, alongside his mother, mother-in-law, and right-hand woman Mandy, Natie always finds something intriguing.
Also featuring Emily Ferreira, Sharon Graham, Mandy-Ann Venter, Milly-Anne Skead and Prof. Alex Duffey
From Wednesday, 5 November 2025 at 20:00 on kykNET.
- Unspoken War (Showmax and M-Net documentary)
Produced by IdeaCandy (creators of Devilsdorp, Tracking Thabo Bester and Steinheist), Unspoken War confronts the long-silenced history of the Border War. This controversial conflict ended over three decades ago but left open wounds. Through candid testimonies from soldiers, spies, daughters, and wives, and with rarely seen archive footage, this documentary series exposes a brutal war fought in Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. It’s a powerful reckoning with the human cost of war – something many involved rarely speak of, and few outsiders truly understand.
Featuring Azille Coetzee, Bun Booyens, Dana Snyman, Eddie Viljoen, Freek Robinson, Gary Baines, Julie Frederikse, Louis Bothma and Minette van der Walt
Streaming from 12 November 2025 on Showmax and airs weekly at 21:00 on M-Net.