Imran Hamdulay

We connect the world and to each other through films that look different, but feel familiar. Films that remind us of our humanity and perhaps, that we have more in common than we think. Having already won the jury prize at @berlinale earlier this year, I’m so proud to share that @theheartisamusclefilm has been selected as South Africa’s entry for the 98th Academy Awards. @imranhamdulay , you wrote and directed a beautiful piece of Southern African cinema and have emerged as one of our exciting new filmmakers. I can’t wait to see what you do next. @keenanarrison , your performance was so delicate and raw and so familiar to me, perfectly balancing the complexities of fatherhood and a past you can’t outrun. Congratulations to the cast on crew on this wonderful achievement as well as my fellow producers @mrproducersa @cocoa_chachi and @brettmichaelinnes 👏🏾🇿🇦🫀🎥

And finally, we have a trailer to share! After our Berlinale and Sydney Film Festival premieres, happy to share The Heart Is A Muscle will have its South African premiere at @silwerskermfees . Tickets are on sale, but moving fast! 20 August: Community Screening - https://qkt.io/XLFC5f 22 August: Film Premiere - https://qkt.io/LT4nFT 23 August: Repeat Screening - https://qkt.io/qHYy6d Three people I didn’t get a chance to thank here are @brandoneckardt , @bruinchild & @danielambor . These guys have been cheerleaders for our film early on and gave so much of their time, their talents and love to us 🫶🏽 Starring: @keenanarrison @dean_marais @iammelissadevries @i_am_dannyross @ridaaadams @loren_loubser @robynrossouw Introducing... Troy Paulse @linky_the_man_01

Still not quite believing our film, with its humble beginnings in Wynberg and Ottery, just won the Panorama independent jury prize at Berlinale. With six sold-out screenings across 1 week. Forever grateful to every single person who got us here. @chimandara You’ve had my back since the very first script I ever wrote. This one’s for you 🫶🏽 @keenanarrison was in the room to accept the prize and was his usual charming and hilarious self. Had the crowd laughing within 10 seconds. After thanking our superstar team @mrproducersa , @cocoa_chachi , @brettmichaelinnes , and partners @nfvfsa , @redseafilm , @indigenousfilm . He also said a few words for me: Thank you to the jury, Tricia, Dorothee, Michy and the Panorama team for showing us this recognition. I’m so proud & thankful to my cast, my crew and everyone associated with making this film. To my lead actor Keenan, thank you for making it look like I know what I know what I’m doing as a director. Being able to write and share stories is a sort of wonderful privilege. We get to shape what love looks like, and often what loss might look like. While receiving this award I am thinking of the many in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, and others, who will not get a chance to share and receive and celebrate their stories, or to simply live their stories quietly, and with dignity. Thank you, Imran

An Ecumenical Jury Prize winner at the Berlinale and South Africa’s entry to the 2026 Academy Awards, Imran Hamdulay's THE HEART IS A MUSCLE makes its New York premiere tonight at 5:45pm (with an in-person Q&A with lead actor Keenan Arrison) as part of this year's New York African Film Festival! 🎟️: filmlinc.org/african This moving redemption story centers on a father forced to confront the past after his violent reaction to his young son’s brief disappearance.

@theheartisamusclefilm by @imranhamdulay is screening tonight at the Francesca Beale Theater @filmlinc 5:45PM as part of the 33rd New York African Film Festival @africanfilmfest . Truly proud and honored to be part of such a magnificent festival. If you’re in New York, come through, support the festival, and join us for a Q&A after the screening. #TheHeartIsAMuscle #NYAFF #NewYorkAfricanFilmFestival #AfricanFilmFestival #ActorLife

The Heart is a Muscle was carried by many people. Big love to this crew and many others not in these pics 🫶🏾 🎟️📽️ The film is out now in cinemas all over SA at Nu Metro, Ster Kinekor and select independent theaters. Book now! @lynn_leroux_ @fifiesta @brandoneckardt @o_n_e_s_i_m_o_b_a_m @samthie1 @creatiffatee @charles_____jamielee_____ @ayjaforever_1987 @rainbowlighting17 @kabeershaik @motsibishi @gregory_albert2 @kingmasengere @jessejewelzzz @bruinchild @boeta_waanie @zayaandamon80 @marwaan95

Dear Friends, Cape Fever's South Africa Book Launch details below. (I'll be home now- now 🇿🇦😍) Cape Town — March 23rd The Book Lounge - @booklounge , 17:30 for 18:00 I'll be in conversation with champion of SA literature, Mervyn Sloman. Johannesburg — March 24th Love Books- @lovebooksjozi , 17:30 for 18:00 I'll be in conversation with brilliant filmmaker (and honourary cousin:) Imran Hamdulay, @imranhamdulay . more events to follow. Please stop by if you're free. I would love to see you xx Nadia x (Thank you @marymarycontrary_ at @jonathanballpublishers for all your excellent planning). #capefever

Catch @theheartisamusclefilm – A Film By @imranhamdulay screening @joburg_film_festival this week-plus coming to your cinema screens nationwide from 6 March. DO IT!! 🫶💪 🎟️ Bookings open shortly – secure your seat early! #theheartisamuscle #southafricanmovies #supportlocalcinema #independentfilm

On the 6th March, The Heart Is a Muscle is releasing in cinemas all over South Africa. I’m so so proud of everyone who worked on this film. Huge thanks to @hfk101 , @chimandara and the @indigenousfilm team for making this happen 🫶🏾 The opening week’s attendance determines how long the film plays in each cinema. So if you can, please come watch. The world is in a place right now where stories are being censored, speeches reshaped, and voices pushed aside. And when that happens, it’s not just stories we lose, it’s memories that are lost. Beyond this film, support all independent cinema wherever you see it playing. You’re not just supporting a movie , you’re showing up for voices, for communities , and for the right to tell our stories in our own words. 🎬 In cinemas 6 March 🎟️ Tickets available online 🙏 @theheartisamusclefilm

Official Selection of the 2026 Santa Barbara International Film Festival: THE HEART IS A MUSCLE - Written/Directed by Imran Hamdulay For more information download the festival app. #sbiff #santabarbara #sbiff2026

To have @theheartisamusclefilm as South Africa’s official entry to the Oscars was never something I considered at any point while making this film. We didn’t make the shortlist but getting this far - up against some of the greats in cinema - got me feeling grateful to my superstar producers, cast and crew, the SA Oscar committee, and all our partners for believing in our film. And a huuuge baie shukran to @lesleyannbrandt for being the craziest fighter for our film on the Oscar campaign 🙏🏾🙏🏾 Congrats to all the shortlisted films. Hoping @sentimentalvaluefilm & @nobledanceroslo clean up 🤞🏾. To my friends who did not make the list, congrats to you too. I can’t wait to see what comes next 👀 @akinoladaviesjr . This is not the end though. We have our US premiere coming soon and a nationwide SA cinema run in Feb/March. Will share details in the coming weeks. @thestarfilmcompany @theacademy @mrproducersa @cocoa_chachi @brettmichaelinnes @lesleyannbrandt @keenanarrison @lesleydoestri @creativeartistsagency @nfvfsa @yolanda_ncokotwana @indigenousfilm @hfk101 @chimandara @waldimarpelser @multichoice_group @afda.co.za @diaanlawrenson @cityofct

LATER POST: Now that the dust has settled…. Thank you to the NFTA— Saturday night was an absolute blast celebrating the @nationalfilmandtvawards What a night! 🏆 Still can’t believe we walked in with four nominations and walked out with THREE huge wins for @theheartisamusclefilm & @thestarfilmcompany : 🥇 Best Supporting Actress 🥇 Best Actor 🥇 AND Best Feature Film I’m so grateful and honored to be part of this film and this team. I share this award with my fellow cast members and the crew. We did this ! To every single person who voted, shared, and believed in us — this is YOUR win too. Thank you! Your support means the world. The love for this film just keeps growing, and we feel every bit of it. ❤️ Congratulations to all the winners and nominees across all categories 🙏 It was a privilege to share the night with you. Being surrounded by stars, icons, legends, and an entire community of artists… humbling, inspiring, and a reminder that we’re on the right path. Massive love to our genius writer-director, @imranhamdulay for giving us a script that rips your heart open and somehow puts it back together stronger. For crafting such a powerful story — one that reminds us to be gentle, vulnerable and kinder to ourselves. A story of what we inherit from our fathers- a journey of becoming a better man, father, husband, friend through healing and self forgiveness; AND the role of strong women who hold space for us and ultimately hold families together. To our producing Dream Team: @mrproducersa @cocoa_chachi @brettmichaelinnes @lesleyannbrandt Thank you for this ride! Feeling very grateful. Very proud. And ready for the next chapter. 🙏✨ Love. Love. Love to you all ❤️ #RedCarpet #Actors #Filmmakers #AwardSeason #TheHeartIsAMuscle #NTFA #Grateful #FilmCommunity #Artists #Storytelling #SouthAfricanCinema #Blessed