Music has long been celebrated for its power to inspire, but for Thulani “Fosta” Headman, it became the foundation for rebuilding a life.
Premiering at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) on 24 July 2026, FOSTA is a feature documentary that traces Headman’s extraordinary journey from former gang member and prisoner to internationally recognised DJ, mentor and community leader. Filmed over 13 years, the documentary offers an intimate look at one man’s determination to redefine his future through creativity.
“Here I was, known as a criminal in my community,” Headman says in the film’s trailer. “Coming out, personally I had a point to prove to myself that I could use music in order to change my life.”
A journey shaped by music
Headman’s story begins in Langa, where his passion for electronic music became more than a creative outlet. It became a pathway towards purpose.
His life changed after meeting Valentino Barrioseta, founder of Bridges for Music, an organisation that connects international artists with emerging creatives in South Africa through workshops, mentorship and education.
What started as a shared belief in the transformative power of music grew into something much bigger. Together, Headman and Barrioseta helped establish Bridges Academy, a creative learning space in Langa that provides young people with access to music education, technology and mentorship.
The academy has since become a launchpad for aspiring creatives, creating opportunities that extend far beyond the township.
Creativity as a catalyst for change
Throughout the documentary, FOSTA illustrates how creative education can reshape individual lives while strengthening entire communities.
Through Bridges for Music, international artists including Skrillex, Black Coffee, Ed Sheeran, Richie Hawtin and Luciano have visited Langa to share knowledge and collaborate with local talent.
For Skrillex, the work extends beyond music itself.
In the documentary, the nine-time Grammy Award winner describes his involvement with Bridges Academy as “the thing I’m most proud of” outside of his music career.
The impact has also travelled in the opposite direction. Local artists have been given opportunities to perform internationally, reinforcing Bridges for Music’s belief that meaningful cultural exchange should move both ways.
A documentary 13 years in the making
While FOSTA follows Headman’s personal transformation, it also reflects the persistence of director and cinematographer Eldon van Aswegen, who spent more than a decade documenting the story.
The project became his debut feature documentary, requiring years of filming as Headman’s journey continued to evolve.
Van Aswegen has admitted there were moments when he considered stepping away from the project, but continued returning because of the strength of the story and the people behind it.
Produced by Laura Colucci and Neil Brandt, the documentary captures Headman’s journey from backyard studios in Langa to performing alongside Skrillex at Glastonbury, while highlighting the mentors, collaborators and community members who helped shape that path.
More than a music documentary
At its heart, FOSTA is about far more than electronic music.
It is a story about second chances, mentorship and the role creativity can play in expanding opportunity. It explores how access to education, technology and community can help people imagine futures beyond the circumstances they were born into.
For South Africa’s creative sector, it also serves as a reminder that meaningful change often begins long before audiences see the finished work. It begins with people willing to invest in others, build spaces for learning and believe in the transformative power of creativity.
FOSTA will have its world premiere at the Durban International Film Festival on Friday, 24 July 2026, screening at Suncoast CineCentre as part of the festival’s opening weekend.
