ABOUT BAI Heatseekers

Film, Youth Culture and Creative Entrepreneurship come alive as HEATSKRS CON returns on the 1–2 August 2025 for a power-packed two-day experience that champions youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and cultural storytelling. Taking place at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, the convention blends the worlds of creative entrepreneurship with filmmaking, music, cultural organizing and pop-culture through carefully curated stages, workshops, talks, and showcases.

The two days will have two stages of main activities 1) The Creative Stage and 2) The Afriquan Film Stage

DAY 1 ACTIVITIES

HEATSKRS CON opens on day 1 with a bevy of live activations that puts the culture of South Africa’s youth within podcasting and new media journalism on the Creative Stage. This will coupled with highly impactful workshops aimed at Business and Entrepeneurial Development for filmmakers on The Afriquan Film Stage.

Highlight taking place on Day 1 include:

Live Talks by Trailblazing voices within new-media including Dennis Ngango, Gugulethu Nyatsumba, Julian Masindi & Mkhetwa Baloyi of Culture’s Biggest.

Censored-Ish Live, a live recording of the comedy podcast hosted by Panch Gasela, TT Phasha & Wazi Kunene with special guest Lihle Msimang

Artchive Live, a live recording of the media industry podcast hosted award-winning creative producer by Hope Mareka with special guest Sthandiwe Kgoroge.

The Curator's Playlist Battle, a much loved celebration of local music that finds three respected music curators go head-to-head in a live sound clash, each presenting a playlist of emerging local tracks in front of an energetic audience that votes for the winner, with Lesiba Mankga of Hype Magazine, Mohau Mamafha & Thabo Rametsi

The launch of notanotherpodcast, hosted by Masego Matiko with special guest Monwabisi Rodolo

Market-Readiness Workshop for filmmakers facilitated by Brain Engine.

Bloo Grape Finance for Creatives Workshop, facilitated by Bloo Money & Grapefruit Gardens.

DAY 2 ACTIVITIES

Day 2 of HEATSKRS CON allows culture to come alive with cosplay competitions, live comic book readings and a diverse showcase of creative and cultural businesses sharing their stories on The Creative Stage. The Afriquan Film Stage digs deeper into craft and technology with its program of masterclasses, creative talks and an industry discussion surrounding The Geopolitics surrounding Artificial Intelligence.

Highlight taking place on Day 2 include:

A live cast reading of the groundbreaking Imbokodo Comic, co-penned and founded by Thabo Rametsi

BAI Spotlights Program including live talks from powerful youth-led creative businesses including Mercha, Legacy Defined, iQhawe Magazine, Revenge Club Records, Sinema & Kay Kay Ribane.

An African Iconography themed Cosplay Competition, hosted by The Erratic Show centred around celebrating our continent’s mythology and iconic pop-culture with cash prizes, with Psycadillo, The Make-Up Shapeshifter & Huntiii as judges.

Exclusive early-look presentations into the makings of bold youth-centred film and music projects from Abo Booi, Tyson Sybateli & Ntokozo Mlaba

An immersive scoring masterclass that brings the world of film scoring alive with award-winning composer, Seoli Mashaba

Ticket Prices:

Single Day Online Ticket: R140

Two Day Online Ticket: R250

Single Day Ticket at The Door: R175

Two Day Ticket at The Door: R300

Follow @baiheatseekers for more announcements and activities about the convention