Ntokozo Mlaba is a 23-year-old filmmaker, writer, director, social activist, and impact producer working across multiple artistic disciplines. His creative journey began as a theatre practitioner and actor at the National School of the Arts, where he staged productions at the NSA Theatre, Hillbrow Theatre, and Joburg Theatre. He also secured featured roles in Rhythm City (2019) and Generations: The Legacy (2020). Building on his theatre background, Ntokozo transitioned into filmmaking, directing short films such as A Shadow of the Liberation (2021) and To Be Seen (2022), starring Mam Sibongile Nojila. To Be Seen was selected for several film festivals, winning Best Narrative Short at the Blackboard International Film Festival (October 2022) and earning a special mention for direction at the Eastern Europe Film Festival. This film marked the first installment in a trilogy exploring issues affecting underprivileged communities. The second film, The Passage (2024), was sponsored by ABSA and is currently touring the festival circuit. It premiered at the Africa Rising International Film Festival 2024, engaging with themes of gender-based violence, femicide, and patriarchy. In recognition of his work, Ntokozo received the Young Voices Award at the Joburg Film Festival in 2024. He was selected for prestigious development programmes, including the Basecamp Programme at the Locarno Film Festival (2024) and the Yennenga Academy at FESPACO (2025). He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is currently pursuing an honours degree in Film Directing at AFDA, supported by a bursary from the Teboho Mahlatsi Foundation. Ntokozo is also the co-founder and managing director of Umphakathi Artists, a creative non-profit organisation that uses art as a tool for social change. Through this platform, he oversees initiatives such as The Community Biskop Screening, which curates local film screenings in underserved communities, and H/ours, a program that facilitates film clubs and drama activities in public schools lacking access to cultural education.