Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- Jason Adam Maselle’s Punter explores the emotional complexity behind a father’s obsession with horse-racing gambling, set against the vibrant backdrop of Johannesburg.
- The film’s authentic performances, including a first-time non-actor lead, bring a deeply personal story to life, highlighting themes of hope, love, and downfall.
- As an independent filmmaker, Maselle embraces limitations as creative opportunities and is currently expanding Punter into a feature film, having qualified the short for the 2026 Academy Awards.
Jason Adam Maselle’s short film Punter, selected for HollyShorts, dives into the underbelly of Johannesburg’s gambling scene through the eyes of young Brett, whose innocent horse-racing bet threatens a surprise for his father’s birthday.
Featuring Tiago Marques, Bouwer Bosch, and Nyaniso Dzedze, the film is a personal exploration inspired by Maselle’s own father’s relationship with gambling.
With a captivating soundtrack and authentic performances, Punter is now gaining momentum as it qualifies for the 2026 Academy Awards and prepares for a feature-length expansion.
Q&A Interview
What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?
"I really just wanted to make a film about my Dad and his horse-racing obsession. I tried to reconcile how my Dad poured the best parts of himself – his hopes, his dreams, his ambitions – into something as volatile as gambling. How can the best parts of ourselves be used to manufacture our own downfall? Then I realized when I was thinking about my Dad this way, I couldn’t stop thinking about Johannesburg and South Africa as a whole."
What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time—creatively or logistically? Was there a moment on set or in post that completely changed how you saw the story?
I think seeing the script actually come to life through the performers is always quite a startling experience. The emotion of it all is very private while writing - the goal of the actual production is to do your best to try and get others to understand & feel those feelings. So when you see it realized through other people, it can be really transformative. You finally getting to really understand your own work - because it's real now.
Is there a moment in the film that feels the most you—something only you could have made?
The Johnny Clegg needle drop and montage when they're driving into town - it feels like my home. I smile every time I watch it.
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?
Casting. It felt scary casting a kid who was a first time non-actor as the lead of the film - but, as you can see, that gamble paid off.
"How can the best parts of ourselves be used to manufacture our own downfall?"
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
I hope audiences leave with a question nagging at them in their head - 'How much can love really save anyone?'
How has this film shaped or shifted the kind of stories you want to tell next?
I'm currently deep in prep for the feature film version of Punter - so there's a world and its characters that I'm still obsessed with trying to figure out. The film also strengthened my resolve in trying to tell stories about complicated people - because those are the ones we usually love the most.
What’s a tool, technique, or resource that really helped you during production?
My biggest strength on set was my crew and everyone's willingness to fail. We knew the film, thematically and stylistically, was a big swing - and I'm so grateful that I worked with people who were brave enough to take the gamble.
Independent filmmakers often rewrite the rules out of necessity. What do you think is the greatest strength of independent filmmaking, and how did you lean into that on this project? Is there a lesson or breakthrough you’d share with others navigating this path?
"The biggest strength of independent filmmaking is our limitations. It forces us to be creative, it forces us to think deeper and it forces us to make hard choices."
You have to see every limitation and setback as an opportunity to surprise yourself and make something better than you had imagined.
"The Johnny Clegg needle drop and montage when they're driving into town - it feels like my home."
What does it mean to you to have your film selected for HollyShorts?
The fact that the film has any audience at any point in time feels like such a miracle - and Hollyshorts has a fantastic audience that we're lucky to be able to share the film with.
How do you hope being part of HollyShorts will shape the life of this film?
I'm just wildly grateful that people get to experience the film in any capacity, especially on the big screen. If the film makes any single person in the audience feel something, then I consider that a success.
Where do you see this film going next?
We've actually qualified for the 2026 Academy Awards - so hopefully we'll back back in Los Angeles early next year! The short is also being expanded into a feature that I'm very excited about making. If you think the short was wild, then strap in.
"At the core of all my work is a desire to understand."
