Liyana (2017)
An animated documentary in which orphaned children in Swaziland craft a courageous fictional heroine from their own memories and dreams.
Liyana - Movie Information
- Original Title: Liyana
- Release Year: 2017
- Directed by: Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation, Documentary
- Runtime: 1h 17m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 28, 2018 (France)
- Alternative Titles: Лияна (RU), Λιάνα (GR), ليانا (AE)
- Production Companies: Intaba Creative, DFI, Shine Global, Fork Films, The Bertha Foundation, Doc Society, Independent Film Producers (IFP), Abramorama
- Production Countries: Qatar, Swaziland, United States of America
Liyana - Plot
A talented group of orphaned children in Swaziland create a fictional heroine and send her on a dangerous quest.
Liyana - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see this extraordinary story come to life:
Dark memories. Bright dreams.
Where to Watch Liyana
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Liyana - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Aaron Kopp
- Amanda Kopp
Main Cast
- Gcina Mhlophe
Writers
- Gcina Mhlophe
Producers
- Amanda Kopp
- Sakheni Dlamini
- Davis Coombe
- Daniel Junge
- Aaron Kopp
Liyana - FAQs
Where can you stream Liyana online?
Liyana is available to stream for free on JustWatch TV and Fawesome. It can also be streamed via IndieFlix and IndieFlix Shorts on Amazon Channel. For digital purchase or rental, the film is available on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home.
What is Liyana about?
Liyana follows a group of orphaned children in Swaziland who collaborate with celebrated storyteller Gcina Mhlophe to invent a fictional heroine named Liyana. Their imaginative tale — woven from real trauma and hope — is brought to life through striking hand-drawn animation alongside live documentary footage.
Is Liyana based on a true story?
Yes. Liyana is a documentary grounded in real events. The children featured are actual orphans living in Swaziland (now Eswatini), and the story they create draws directly from their own lived experiences of loss, hardship, and survival. The animated sequences visualize their collectively imagined narrative.
Who directed the documentary Liyana?
Liyana was co-directed by Aaron Kopp and Amanda Kopp. The filmmaking duo also served as producers and editors on the project. Aaron Kopp additionally served as cinematographer, giving the film a cohesive visual identity from production through post.
What genre is Liyana?
Liyana blends Animation and Documentary into a singular hybrid genre experience. The film interweaves live-action documentary footage of real orphaned children in Swaziland with hand-drawn animated sequences that visualize the fictional story the children collectively create with storyteller Gcina Mhlophe.
How long is the film Liyana?
Liyana has a runtime of 77 minutes, making it a compact yet emotionally rich viewing experience. Its brevity is well-suited to its intimate subject matter, allowing the film to sustain its lyrical, dreamlike tone without overstaying its welcome.
Who are the key people behind Liyana?
The film was directed and produced by Aaron Kopp and Amanda Kopp. Celebrated South African storyteller Gcina Mhlophe wrote the story and appears in the film. Additional producers include Sakheni Dlamini, Davis Coombe, and Daniel Junge, with editing by Davis Coombe and Aaron Kopp.
Did Liyana receive critical acclaim or awards?
Yes. Liyana earned strong critical praise and won the Special Jury Award for Storytelling at the Tribeca Film Festival. Critics celebrated its innovative hybrid form, emotional depth, and the power of its central storytelling conceit, with many highlighting it as a standout in documentary filmmaking.
More About Liyana
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