It is challenging at times to hold an audience to a film, especially when that audience is full of high school teenagers. It is even more of a challenge when the a does not contain or is not filled with explosions, sexual displays or overtones, over the top drama, or other youthful eye candy the gets “oos” and “aas” from its viewers. But when a high school audience, full of todays youth can sit watch a film that is curious and captivating without all the aforementioned, well, you’ve got a film that’s pretty darn spectacular. You've struck youthful viewer gold!

Such was my personal experience at the 2025 Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) “Student Fest” film exhibition, where select films are chosen by the PAFF committee to display works by (us) directors, before high students. And such was my honor to be part of that ensemble of films. To be amongst other films and directors selected to communicate to our youth the display of our film labors. Thank you PAFF.

Plus, to have the personal honor and great delight to see such a brilliant forms of storytelling, story realness, and story journeying was in itself and genre to behold. But their was one particular film in this session of films being screened that I had the privilege to watch, along with these youth. 

Im talking about the film“Cant Retire From This”…wow.

Ok, so here’s my story… Four(4) films were to be shown in a block of films, one after another. My film (Mosaics Symphony) was the second film to be shown. As the first 3 films were being screened by this youthful audience they (about 170 High School students) were sitting in the audience, slightly talkative, some grumbling, some laughter, and lots of seat adjusting. Appearing (to me) to show slight interest at times to the first 3 films (mine being one of them). But was a testament to me of their maturing, becoming adults, and for me improving my storytelling techniques. These high schoolers keep it real lol… and I was so appreciative of their viewing and overall reception of the films. 

BUT, when “Cant Retire From This” began to screen, they (as I) were immediately caught into a visual display of animation, along with an underline of truthfulness and passion. The films direction and the films director  Melanie Page were on another level of storytelling audience engagement, as if the film was tailored for this audience. It was obvious to all that this film was worth the wait and to be shown as saving the 'best for last'.

When "Cant Retire’ From This” film was ending and the end titles began to be shown, the audience began to clap with much enthusiasm. They clapped as the end titles ran and they clapped when the house lights came up, once again they clapped. The buzz of chatter ensued upon the end of that film, and the sad part was that I had no one around me to talk to in the sharing of “Cant Retire From This” and what I had just throughly enjoyed. 

To see such a prolifically creative film (shot over 3 years in the making) to come together in such a manner that could hold the youth of today in continued focus and to keep them in their seats, from a film that spoke inspirationally to the hearts of its viewers, is a feat most of us film makers thrive to achieve.

The only thing left for me do afterwards was to do as they all did…applauded.

And applaud I did.

Great story. Great. telling. Great inspiration. Great film.

Congratulations Melanie, very well done.

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JA Williams.Creative Director

Raking Leaves Productions