
And the Oscar NOMINATION goes to Director Cindy Lee from Star Films, a masterpiece!
[Editor’s note: Since publication, Cindy Lee’s short film The Last Ranger has advanced from the Oscar shortlist to an official nomination!]
There is a handful of directors that our industry turns to when they have a really meaty narrative script and Star Films’ Cindy Lee has 100% earned her way into that circle. Cindy’s short film The Last Ranger is nothing less than a heartbreaking masterpiece. It’s compelling, gut-wrenching and beautifully crafted, earning its rightful place as a 2025 Oscar shortlist. With this film, Cindy cemented her reputation as one of South Africa’s go-to top narrative directors. Whether she brings home the statue or not, you’ve made South Africa very proud Cinds, well done.
‘The Last Ranger’ Trailer
Shot in 2021 during the peak of Covid, The Last Ranger is set against the breathtaking landscapes of the Eastern Cape. The short film tells the story of a young Xhosa girl and a female game ranger battling to save rhinos from poachers, exposing both the horrors of rhino poaching and the socio-economic challenges facing local communities. The short film was produced internationally by Kindred Films and locally by Star Films.
Cindy graciously shared The Last Ranger with us privately to watch (as only the trailer is currently available to audiences until the film completes its festival circuit). To date the film has received an Oscar shortlist (nominations to be released this week) and over 10 best film awards from across the globe.
Cindy Lee takes us behind the scenes
Behind the Scenes ‘The Last Ranger’
IDIDTHAT: Congratulations! You’ve made South Africa very proud. What’s it been like finding out you’re shortlisted for an OSCAR?
Cindy: Surreal to say the least. We never imagined we stood a chance but the feedback has been so incredible. I was in Los Angeles at a screening of the film for 45 Academy voters. I snuck in at the back, shaking with nerves, to watch their reactions. They applauded three times throughout the film. We could have never expected such a reaction.


L to R: Actress Liyabona Mroqoza, Cindy and actress Avumile Qongqo / Cindy and her bro, Actor and Writer David Lee.
IDIDTHAT: The story feels deeply personal. How did The Last Ranger come to be?
Cindy: My brother David went with his old school friend, veterinarian and conservationist Dr William Fowlds, to the site of a poaching incident and was completely heartbroken by the devastation. Right there he asked how he could help in the fight against poaching and William told him to go back to Hollywood and write a story. That’s exactly what he did. He then approached me to direct it, and well, I can’t say no to my brother! The film was a family collaboration inspired by real events, including the incredible survival story of Thandi the rhino, who has, since her horn was taken and she was left for dead in 2012, fallen pregnant for the sixth time at Kariega Game Reserve.

On set with rhino, Dr. William Fowlds and his team and writer, actor and Cindy’s bro David Lee.
IDIDTHAT: The film feels raw and authentic. What was it like working with real rhinos on set?
Cindy: It was emotional and logistically challenging. We didn’t dart the rhinos just for the film. They were already being darted for conservation purposes, to insert trackers and check for pregnancies. On set, everyone was in tears, especially when Thandi was darted. The vet, William, who in the film you see walking into frame to help her couldn’t hold back the tears as it brought back the memories of the real incident of poaching that took place years before.


BTS The Last Ranger
IDIDTHAT: How does directing a short film differ from your work in commercials?
Cindy: In a short film, there’s really time to develop characters and explore their emotional journeys. You can delve into nuances and let the characters evolve on screen. Commercials, however, are about capturing standalone moments, which doesn’t give you a lot of time but that does not mean you shouldn’t give the same amount of care to the characters. Even in a 30-second ad, I create detailed backstories for the actors to ground their performances. These backstories help the actors understand their motivations, even within that brief window of time. Since performances in commercials happen in nanoseconds, the actors need to know exactly what happened to their characters in the moments, days, or even years leading up to the scene to deliver authentic emotions quickly. I love this process of crafting backstories, it’s a form of storytelling that influences all my work, from The Last Ranger to campaigns for brands like Standard Bank, First for Women, and 1Life.
Discovery Health ‘Baby Lindi’
Standard Bank ‘Inventor’
First For Women ‘Here Here Here’
IDIDTHAT: What was it like working with legendary composer John Powell, who recently composed the score for Wicked?
Cindy: It was an honour to have someone of John’s calibre on board. His score elevated the film, amplifying its emotional depth. It’s a huge win for South Africa, not only to have this level of talent involved but also to make rhino poaching part of the global conversation. We also collaborated with the amazing Thanda Choir from Khayelitsha, keeping it local is very important.


L – R: Actress Avumile Qongqo who plays the role of game ranger Khuselwa and Liyabona Mroqoza who plays Litha.
IDIDTHAT: The lead actress, Liyabona Mroqoza delivers one of the standout performances. How did you cast her?
Cindy: It was her first film. She sent a self-tape, and I knew immediately she was the one. We saw around 30 auditions, but no one else came close. There’s a scene where she’s crying next to the darted rhino, her hands resting on it’s back, and we only had 20 minutes to get it right, before the rhino would wake up. She nailed it in one take, it was incredible.
IDIDTHAT: What’s next for The Last Ranger?
Cindy: Beyond the Oscars, we’re focused on education and awareness. It’s been so surprising that international audiences simply don’t know this is happening. One rhino is poached every day for its horn and soon there will be none left. We have to make this a global conversation. We’re also working to get the film into schools and communities surrounding game reserves. It’s vital for people to see this story and understand what’s at stake.

Behind the scenes, lining up the shot.
Wanna (s)talk some more? Cindy at Star Films on IDIDTHAT or Company Website.

Contact The Star Film Company
Executive Producer: Adam Thal
adam@starfilms.tv
082 927 8930
Executive Producer: Saskia Rosenberg Haak
saskia@starfilms.tv
082 888 1533
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Produced by the IDIDTHAT Content Studio – Credits: Anne Hirsch (Writer) / Julie Maunder
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