Bird Boy
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| Bird Boy | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Joel Soisson |
| Produced by | Téa Leoni; Michael S. Murphey; Pantea Ghaderi; Bob Weinstein |
| Written by | Joel Soisson |
| Starring | Téa Leoni; Tony Kgoroge; Litlhonolofatso Litlhakanyane; Brandon Auret; Neil Sandilands |
| Music by | Daniel Phillip Eppel |
| Cinematography | Marius van Graan |
| Edited by | Tommy Aagaard |
Production companies | Kalahari Pictures; Watch This Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Angel Studios (streaming); Ster-Kinekor (South Africa theatrical) |
Release date | 2025 (festival); 28 November 2025 (South Africa) |
Running time | 78 minutes |
| Country | United States / South Africa |
| Language | English |
Bird Boy is a 2025 live-action family adventure film written and directed by Joel Soisson. A co-production between Kalahari Pictures and Watch This Entertainment, the film stars Téa Leoni, Tony Kgoroge and Litlhonolofatso Litlhakanyane. The story follows August, an orphaned boy who raises an abandoned ostrich and later attempts to rescue it when it is taken away.
Plot
August, a recently orphaned boy, is taken to live with foster parents in rural South Africa. He discovers an abandoned ostrich egg and raises the hatchling, naming him Koobus. When the ostrich is removed after defending August from a bully, August sets out to bring him home, learning about family and belonging along the way.
Cast
- Litlhonolofatso Litlhakanyane as August
- Téa Leoni as Emmie Khumalo
- Tony Kgoroge as Thabo Khumalo
- Amira Rafuza as Kaya
- Brandon Auret as Dirk
- Neil Sandilands as Mr. Kloppers
Production
Bird Boy was filmed on location in the Western Cape, South Africa. Festival programme materials indicate that the production used a combination of animatronics, puppetry and visual effects for the ostrich sequences. The film was produced by Téa Leoni, Michael S. Murphey, Pantea Ghaderi and Bob Weinstein, with Watch This Entertainment listed among the main production partners.
Release
The film premiered on the international festival circuit in 2025, screening at the SCHLiNGEL International Film Festival (Germany), the Cinekid Festival (Netherlands), the Weyauwega International Film Festival, and the Heartland International Film Festival (Midwest premiere). It later screened at the Newport Beach Film Festival as the Southern California Premiere.
In South Africa, Ster-Kinekor lists the theatrical release date as 28 November 2025.The film is also scheduled for release on Angel Studios’ streaming platform.
Reception
Youth and family reviewers responded positively to Bird Boy. Dove.org awarded the film an “Approved for All Ages” seal. KIDS FIRST! praised its themes of compassion, perseverance, and family.
Awards
The film and its cast received several festival awards:
- **Best Feature Film** and **Best Actress (Téa Leoni)** – 6th Greece International Film Festival.
- **Best Actor (Litlhonolofatso Litlhakanyane)** – 16th Festival International Issni N’Ourgh du Film Amazigh (FINIFA), Agadir, Morocco.
- Additional recognition for **Amira Rafuza**, reported in South African media.
References
External links
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