DOCUMENTARY APPEAL

Response from Westville Screening with Zane Colquhoun

The script and appeal for this film is currently in development. Should you want to be involved or support us please reach out and we would love to connect with you.

Synopsis

In 2011 a young Samkelo Brian Cele would often pass by a Claremont township basketball court where coach George Mwaura would beckon him to play. Eventually he engaged in the activities and discovered his love for the game.Known for practicing for hours on the dusty, worn out courts; while wearing heavy steel toe-cap boots, friends will joke saying, 'This is how he got so good at jumping.'The raw talent that Brian brings to the game earned him scholarships and with the help of George and his Mom a chance to attend a basketball camp in Serbia in 2015 at the age of 17.After attending College in the United States and trying to make his mark as a professional player, it wasn't to be until he returned to South Africa to play for the Cape Town Tigers of the Basketball Africa League. This lead to his debut for the South Africa national team in February 2024 during the pre-qualifiers for AfroBasket 2025.13 years since his inception into the game Samkelo Brian Cele got drafted to play for the New York Knicks Summer League.Steve Nash may have been born in South Africa but Samkelo Brian Cele became the player he is in South Africa!Our hope is to show the contrast of where Brian grew up and developed his skills (with very little resources) to where he is today. Still pushing his way into NBA stardom and showing the world that he's earned a place with the greats.His determination and dedication is inspiring generations of children who are walking similar paths to him. They're shouting his name as they dunk and move on the same courts he grew up on. This story needs to be heard as a beacon of hope for them. And to let the world know there are more Samkelo Cele's on their way.

Cast & Crew