by Thinus Ferreira
The South African short film, The Last Ranger, has made the shortlist for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best Live Action Short Film category.
In the category 180 films qualified, which have been whittled down to 15.
The short list will be further reduced and announced on 17 January 2025, with the winner in the category announced on 2 March 2025 when the 2025 Oscars take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and shown on M-Net (DStv 101).
The Last Ranger was directed by Cindy Lee who worked on Desert Rose and Showmax's The Girl from St Agnes, and the short film is the second installment in the When The World Stopped anthology series.
The Last Ranger is produced by Kindred Films and supported by Rose and Oaks Media.
The Last Ranger chronicles the story of Lita (Liyabona Mroqoza) who is captivated by the wonders of a game reserve, guided by the last ranger, Khuselwa (Avumile Qongqo).
Their adventure turns into a fight for survival when they are ambushed by poachers, leading them to confront a painful reality that underlines the critical issues of wildlife conservation.
"To have an isiXhosa film about rhino poaching in the running for an Oscar makes me so proud," says Cindy Lee in a statement. "The film is unique and deserves to go all the way".
"It is a remarkable feeling to see the positive reception this film has garnered on the international film festival circuit."
"This being my first short film, I wanted to create a story that resonates in South Africa and across the world. I am honoured that the film is sparking important conversations on conservation, social change, and empowerment.”
Anele Mdoda, executive producer at Rose and Oaks Media, said "We are immensely proud to be involved in a project that addresses such a critical subject".
"Raising awareness about environmental conservation through storytelling is essential for driving meaningful change. The fact that this story is told in isiXhosa yet resonates with international audiences speaks to the universal relevance of this urgent issue."
