Interview: Writer and Director Jessica Rowlands from Rise (6/3/25)

Below The Belt Show (www.belowthebeltshow.com) brings to you exclusive interviews with 2025 Tribeca Festival (tribecafilm.com/) selected films' creators and actors! We talk to writer and director Jessica Rowlands, whose film short "Rise" is the first Zimbabwean film to be selected at Tribeca! "Rise" is about "a charismatic young boy who lives on a rubbish dump in Zimbabwe convinces a reclusive boxing coach to teach him to fight in a world that has left him behind.' Based on actual people, (including Jessica's personal friend Tobias, played by Tongayi Chirisa) and events, Jessica talks about the production process, casting a young actor, Sikhanyiso Ngwenya, in his film debut, and her desire to expand her film into a feature. In addition, Jessica talks about the John Cena reference in the film. Don't miss this interview!