Finding Optel is now showing on Showmax fresh from its European premiere in October 2025 at the BFI London Film Festival (LFF).
The story concerns teenager Claire Abrahams, who runs a lost and found service where she locates anything and everything that has been misplaced. When Optel, the community dog, goes missing, Claire must confront her brother’s painful disappearance in order to solve her biggest case yet.
Made as part of the Showmax’s first-time director slate to open up the industry in partnership with Joburg Film Festival, Finding Optel is co-directed by 25-year-old Mikayla Joy Brown and her 30-year-old brother Jesse Brown, who were inspired by Amélie, Wes Anderson and their childhood memories of their grandparents’ home in Montevideo on the Cape Flats.
Mikayla Joy stars as Claire, supported by an all-star cast that includes award winner Oscar Petersen (Joe Barber) as her father, SAFTA nominee Zenobia Kloppers (Fiela se Kind), Rodney “Rotas” Goliath and Sherman Pharo (both Arendsvlei), Maurice Carpede and Euodia Samson (both Summertide), Elton Landrew (Spinners, Carissa), and Omar Adams (Barakat, The Umbrella Men).
Award winners Quanita Adams and Dominique Jossie produced through Blended Films, which won four Silwerskerm awards last year
We caught up with siblings Mikayla Joy Brown and Jesse Brown to find out about their trip to one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals.
What did it mean to you personally for Finding Optel to be selected for LFF, and to have the festival host you in London?
Jesse: It’s an incredible privilege to be selected. This is one of the world’s top film festivals and a place we hadn’t imagined seeing so early on in our film careers.
The LFF team has been incredibly hospitable and made it clear that our film has a special place in this year’s festival. It’s surreal and beautiful, and a testament to the phenomenal storytelling work of our cast and crew.
We really felt supported and sent by family and friends. The film touches on the importance of community and we were so happy to be living out those themes on our travels. I appreciated the video calls and encouraging messages.
Who did you see at the festival that you were already a fan of?
Mikayla Joy: Channing Tatum! Jesse and I watched the premiere of his new film, Roofman. I didn’t get to meet him personally but it was so cool listening to the director, Derek Cianfrance, and the cast, which included Kirsten Dunst, in person.
Who did you meet at the festival that you were a fan of?
Jesse: I was overjoyed to have met Italian filmmaker Carolina Cavalli, who showcased her second feature film, The Kidnapping of Arabella – my favourite film experience at the festival. I snapped up the chance to watch it twice and then got to tell her in person that it held up so well on a second viewing. She was very gracious to have a quick chat and she was actually excited to watch Finding Optel in turn.
Tell us about your screening.
Jesse: We screened our film at the BFI Southbank venue, which seats just over 100 people. The screening had people attending of all ages, which we really appreciated. There were also a number of South Africans, who were grateful to hear some local phrases in a film! We had a lovely Q&A time with host Justin Johnson. The audience were also engaged and had some wonderful questions to ask about the Cape Flats and our use of Afrikaaps.
What was the nicest thing anyone said about your film after the screening?
Mikayla Joy: One of the audience members is studying film in the UK and she told me that Finding Optel is the type of film that she wants to make one day. I was so touched that the film inspired her. That was one of my hopes: that the film would encourage people to create uplifting, whimsical stories. I was even more touched when she asked for my autograph! She and her friends made an “Optel Found” sign and asked me to sign it. It was very sweet.
How are you feeling about Finding Optel being released on Showmax?
Jesse: I am so excited to see our film finally finding its home on Showmax. We made this film for families to enjoy together, and now everyone will be able to stream it when it suits them.
Why should people here watch Finding Optel on Friday?
Mikayla Joy: It’s a family-friendly film that children, young adults and adults will find entertaining. If you want to start off your weekend with a lekker laugh and a mystery that’ll warm your heart, give Finding Optel a watch!
What: Finding Optel
Where: Showmax
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