A woman with short black hair, wearing a black lace top, taking a selfie against a plain gray background.

Meet the Founder

GLOW Film Festival was founded by actor and filmmaker Natasha Mayet.

Born in Pakistan and now based in South Africa, Natasha has spent over a decade working across different countries and film industries. After years of navigating spaces that often felt exclusive or inaccessible, she created GLOW as a response — a festival rooted in warmth, visibility, and belonging.

GLOW is both a celebration and an invitation: to show up, to share your work, and to be seen.

OUR MISSION

GLOW exists to create space for stories that matter.

We believe film is not just about competition, but about connection. Our mission is to support emerging and independent filmmakers, particularly women, people of colour, and underrepresented voices, by offering a platform that feels accessible, inclusive, and genuinely welcoming.

GLOW is a reminder that you don’t have to wait for permission to tell your story.

WHAT MAKES GLOW DIFFERENT

  • Rooftop screenings under the Cape Town sky

  • An actor- and filmmaker-founded festival

  • An international industry jury

  • A focus on community over hierarchy

  • A celebration of process, courage, and creative risk

GLOW is intentionally intimate — a place where filmmakers can meet, connect, and feel part of something real.