Film
Botswana Film Triumphs at Durban FilmMart: Vote Now to Bring Home the Audience Choice Award!
Local film “Zombie Date Night in Tlokweng” has achieved significant success at the Durban FilmMart. Now, it’s time for you to cast your vote and help it secure the Audience Choice Award! Watch “Zombie Date Night in Tlokweng” using the provided links and then vote for it to bring the prestigious award home.
The film has already received another win – the #NEFTIcompetition Audience Choice Award, in addition to being crowned the Best Film of the 2023 #NEFTIcompetition. Congratulations to everyone who voted, shared the posts, and to the talented cast and crew of #ZDNIT. Le kamoso bagaetsho! (Congratulations, everyone!)
The cast of the film includes notable actors like Marcus Mabusela, Gofaone Nkwane, and William Last KRM. It also features well-known names from the local comedy scene, such as Jethro ‘Umaga’ Ndebele, Bambino Ndiwenyu, Triccs, Jonny Pula, Precious Olerile, Lebone Mokone, Mamelang Lefitlhile, and the young talent Olerato Kgalemang.
Behind the scenes, the film boasts a talented crew of accomplished Batswana professionals, including First Director Ellen Phooko, Director of Photography Vaima Kario, Gaffer Thebe Radiakwana, and assistants Karabo Mogorosi and Lebone Mokone, First AC/Focus Puller Mana Seboni, Production Designer Tshepiso Mothaba, assisted by Tony Serero, Costume Designer Gertrude, and Kutlwano Mogojwe of Black Thrash Designers, Sound Recordist MacDonald Garekwe, Make-up & Special Effects Make-up Artist Matthew Emmanuel Charlie, with seasoned music producer Kabelo “K-Bos” Motlhatlhedi serving as the Sound Mixer and Colourist, and Development Executive Tricia L. Sello.
“NEFTI” (NEFT Emerging Film Talent International) is an innovative annual competition created by NEFT Vodka™ and the International Emerging Film Talent Association (“IEFTA”). The competition aims to discover, develop, and showcase up-and-coming filmmakers from emerging economies worldwide. It provides opportunities to film talent from culturally diverse and economically challenged regions, ensuring their voices are heard despite geographical, financial, and logistical limitations.
The competition is entirely funded by NEFT Vodka, and contestants compete for the chance to be one of three finalists who get to produce a short film within thirty days and a budget of $3000. The ultimate winner among the finalists receives the grand prize of $5,000. All three films produced by the finalists are then submitted to various international film festivals and showcased by IEFTA and NEFT Vodka across different platforms.
The judging panel for the competition consists of three esteemed film-industry veterans: award-winning actress, producer, and Host, Vivica A. Fox; Academy Award and Tony-winning film, television, and theater producer Bruce Cohen; and producer and current President of Feature Post-Production at Disney/20th Century Fox, Ted Gagliano. For the inaugural competition, independent filmmaker and NEFT’s Chief Creative Officer Paul Robinson acted as the fourth and final judge. For future competitions, the previous year’s winner will take on the role of the fourth judge, replacing Robinson.