LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Sunshine Cinema, Africa’s first solar-powered mobile cinema network, bridging storytelling, activism and youth empowerment
Sydelle Willow Smith is a storyteller, impact producer, and co-founder of Sunshine Cinema—Africa’s first solar-powered mobile cinema network. A 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award finalist, Sydelle’s work bridges storytelling and activism, empowering youth in under-resourced communities to become media entrepreneurs and drive dialogue through film. With a background in African Studies and documentary filmmaking, she is passionate about reclaiming narrative spaces and amplifying voices from the margins.
Lioness Weekender spoke to the inspirational Sydelle Willow Smith to learn more about the high-impact, innovation-driven business she has created and her vision for the future.
When did your start your business?
We started Sunshine Cinema in 2017, formalising what began as an experimental community-screening initiative wing of our impact production agency Makhulu Media in 2013. The business has created jobs for 10 employees.
What does your company do?
We train young people from rural and township communities to become Impact Facilitators—youth media entrepreneurs who use solar cinema kits to screen films that spark dialogue and drive social change. Through this model, we promote civic engagement, environmental awareness, and economic opportunity and we currently work in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Eswatini.
What inspired you to start your company?
As a photographer/ filmmaker influenced by my training in Visual Anthropology, I was frustrated by how often stories made in partnership with communities never reached the people they were about. I wanted to create a feedback loop—where powerful African films could return to local audiences and spark change. Sunshine Cinema was born from this desire to impact distribution and reimagine the mobile cinema model as a tool for active citizenship.
What makes your business, service or product special?
Our model is a hybrid of storytelling, sustainability, and youth entrepreneurship. We don’t just show films—we activate local action. By using solar power and training young changemakers, we’ve created a platform that reduces carbon emissions, fosters grassroots dialogue, and creates meaningful work in the informal and green economies.
Tell us a little about your team
Our team is made up of passionate media practitioners, facilitators, and community organizers from across Southern Africa. We blend lived experience with professional expertise, and our training programs support team members to grow in digital skills, facilitation, and leadership. The diversity and commitment of our team is what keeps the heart of Sunshine Cinema beating.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My journey into entrepreneurship was driven by a desire to create impact beyond the frame of a documentary. I come from a family of educators and artists, more than traditional entrepreneurs—but starting Sunshine Cinema has shown me that social entrepreneurship is about using tools—like film and tech—for transformation. It’s been a journey of listening, adapting, and constantly learning from the communities we serve.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
We aim to expand the Sunbox Network across the SADC region and beyond—training more youth as Impact Facilitators and increasing access to meaningful African cinema. We’re also building out our digital infrastructure to track impact, link young people to gig work, and collaborate more closely with filmmakers and advocacy partners.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Watching a screening where the audience sees themselves reflected on screen—followed by a discussion that shifts mindsets or inspires action—that’s where the magic is. Also, witnessing our facilitators grow in confidence and purpose is an incredible reward.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Start from what breaks your heart—but build with what gives you hope. Be bold about what drives you, but also surround yourself with people who challenge you to think bigger and more sustainably. And don’t wait for permission—especially as a woman. Create your own seat at the table, or build a new table!
To learn more about the inspirational, impact-driven work of Sunshine Cinema, contact Sydelle Willow Smith via email: sydelle@sunshinecinema.org or visit the website and social media platforms:
Website: https://sunshinecinema.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunshinecinema/
Twitter: https://x.com/SunshineCinema?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunshinecinema/?hl=en
Your YouTube: https://youtu.be/QciQRvvz6Lc
