In the turbulent atmosphere of 1989 South Africa, a teenage boy from the townships begins to attain fame as a surfing star — but after a fateful betrayal, he is forced to choose between pursuing his dreams or fighting for justice.

South Africa, 1989. As the struggle against apartheid reaches full boil, sixteen-year-old Otelo — who has spent his life afraid of the ocean — makes an unexpected discovery when he finally takes to the water: he was born to surf. Spending every spare moment "flying on water" with his best friend, New Year, Otelo can soon even out-surf Mandla, the friend who introduced him to the sport. As Otelo starts to win surfing competitions — and the attentions of New Year's younger sister, Dezi — Mandla's jealousy leads to a betrayal that has tragic consequences for Otelo's family, and confronts Otelo with a painful choice: pursue his surfing dreams, or fight for justice. Shot on location in Durban with a cast of emerging young talents, Sara Blecher's Otelo Burning is both a compelling youth drama and a vivid portrait of the political and social turbulence of 1980s South Africa.

http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/nextwave/2013/2330019346