RISE

Par Jessica J. Rowlands

Set in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, RISE follows a fearless young boy surviving on a rubbish dump who dreams of becoming a boxer. When he meets Tobius, a withdrawn ex-fighter running a small training camp in the bush, he’s determined to be trained - refusing to take no for an answer. As their uneasy relationship deepens, what begins as survival training becomes an unlikely bond between two outsiders - one searching for purpose, the other for belonging. But to truly rise, the boy must confront not his opponent, but his own fear. Inspired by true events, RISE is a powerful coming-of-age story about resilience, connection, and the courage it takes to dream.