“The journey we have been on since the inception of this milestone project has been a fulfilling one which promises to expose the incredible local talent we have in Botswana’s film industry,” says Stephanie Pillay, MultiChoice Botswana Managing Director. “M-Net and MultiChoice Botswana have a shared vision to ensure that the production of the three local films which are set to air on Mzansi Bioskop later this year are produced and overseen by an individual who has not only relevant and extensive experience but an individual who has an innate passion for growing Botswana’s local creative industry. Johnson has proven to be the absolute top choice for this opportunity.”

Born and raised in Lobatse, Otlaadisa has over 20 years of experience in the performing arts industry in Botswana. He is one of the founding creators of the popular Radio Serial Drama: Makgabaneng, and the Facebook hit comedy series titled BW Trending Content. He has produced Lights Off (Drama Series), The Village Idiots (Sitcom), and Wedding Stories (Lifestyle Magazine Program) which have all aired on BTV 1, as well as Night Shift (Sitcom) and Online Celebs Game Show for Upic Tv and Btv 1.

Speaking on the significance of the Local Film Project, Otlaadisa commented, “The Mzansi Bioskop Local Film Project is an answer to a prayer that the local creative industry has held for a very long time. We have been looking for opportunities to have our stories recognized by international broadcasters and for our talent to be acknowledged in order to grow our industry. For MultiChoice to make this investment is a big win for the local industry.”

Otlaadisa is currently the Chairperson of the Botswana Screen Society, a coalition of TV/Film Associations that advises and lobbies stakeholders, including government, for the development of television and film in Botswana. Otlaadisa is also a former member of Reetsanang Association of Community Drama Groups and a Former Board Member of Botswana National Youth Council, with the inaugural BNYC TV & Film Festival being his brainchild.

The Mzansi Bioskop Local Film Project will see three Batswana filmmakers’ concepts being brought to life and broadcast on Mzansi Bioskop; the home of locally written and produced feature films from South Africa. The broadcast of films produced outside of South Africa is a milestone not only for Botswana’s creative industry but the channel as well.

“We are proud to be part of showcasing the amazing work and creative storytelling though this project, especially because it gives a platform to share stories from other African markets,” says Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Interest Channels – M-Net. “We hope this will go beyond the project and that we can later see more co-productions between Mzansi and other markets in the continent.”  

With the appointment of Otlaadisa to the highly coveted role of Production Supervisor for the Local Film Project, MultiChoice Botswana looks forward to announcing the names of the production houses behind the three local films in the near future. “Words can’t express how much we are looking forward to Batswana being able to see this historic moment in local film on our platform,” adds Pillay. “It’s a defining moment for us as a business as our ambition has always been to bring our viewers more local stories that connect them to DStv more than ever before.”

For more information on how to subscribe to DStv to enjoy local content and more, please visit www.dstv.com or download the MyDStv App on Google Play and Apple Ios stores.

The post Botswana’s Johnson Otlaadisa appointed as Production Supervisor for Mzansi Bioskop Local Film Project by Multichoice first appeared on EBW Magazine.

The chance reunion of these two collaborators, separated since their school days in 2008, became the catalyst for an extraordinary cinematic voyage. Gabang’s simple directive to “make it stand out” ignited a creative flame in his partner, giving rise to “Phala.” Fueled by a mutual drive to push boundaries, the team embarked on a quest to craft a visually arresting piece destined to leave an indelible mark on audiences.

With a background in music, the filmmaker drew inspiration from sonic landscapes, setting the stage for a mesmerizing audiovisual experience. Teaming up with Azizi as Cinematographer, Goaba as assistant Cinematographer, and Ipelo as Art Director, the vision began to take shape. But it was the contribution of praise poet Jabu, who delivered a stirring Setswana piece, that breathed life into the project, challenging the team to translate its essence into captivating visuals.

“Phala” transcends conventional storytelling, weaving together the rich tapestry of Setswana culture with dreamlike imagery to invite viewers into a realm of personal interpretation. Trippy Boy’s evocative musical score serves as the perfect companion, enhancing the film’s ethereal atmosphere and drawing audiences deeper into its hypnotic embrace.

For Gabang and his team, the opportunity to showcase “Phala” at Berlinale and Cannes represents not only a professional milestone but also a celebration of Botswana’s burgeoning creative landscape. While their expertise lies predominantly in corporate content, the allure of these renowned festivals beckons them to explore new horizons and assert their place on the global stage.

However, the journey doesn’t end there. A chance encounter with a South African producer during a trip to America paved the way for another exciting project. Collaborating on a demo for a film in late 2023, the team now finds themselves on the brink of pitching to Netflix as part of its development program. It’s a testament to their resilience and determination to push boundaries, proving that creativity knows no limits.

As they stand on the precipice of possibility, Gabang and his team are poised to make their mark on the international stage, armed with talent, vision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. With “Phala” leading the charge, the world eagerly awaits the next chapter in their cinematic journey.

The post Phala: A Botswana film showcase bound for Berlinale and Cannes 2024 first appeared on EBW Magazine.

The post The Genesis of GARDEN: A Short Film by Moonga K. first appeared on EBW Magazine.

01 September 2023. Gaborone, Botswana. The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) is significantly growing its impact in the African continent through the pool of well-trained filmmakers, that have established production companies, producing ground-breaking films and internationally competitive production projects.  

Through MTF, MultiChoice creates direct and indirect jobs, trains, harnesses and sharpens storytelling and production skills of young African filmmakers to contribute positively to the economy and the TV and film industry in the region.

The alumni are now occupying significant industry roles on major productions across the African continent, while some have established their own production companies collaborating with industry expects and masters.

Nikita Neo Mokgware and Serena Serene Mmifinyana, are MTF alumni that are actively creating opportunities in the industry through their production house, N & M Productions based in Gaborone, Botswana. N & M Productions is a scriptwriting and film administration company that specialises in concept development and production management in all the production stages of a film or series.

These young film trailblazers are now utilising skills and insights on the business of film and the pre-production processes acquired during their one-year programme at the MTF Academy.  At the time as MTF students, the landscape of the film and TV industry in Botswana was still growing, and a most production houses in the country didn’t focus on the pre-production business of filmmaking. Upon returning to Botswana from MTF, Nikita and Serena both agreed to collaborate and partner together, and N & M Productions was established.

“Today, we are not just two MTF alumni, we are two warriors of the screen, two storytellers of the heart, two ambassadors of Africa” articulated Serena.

Their production company is the official writer for Botswana’s UpicTV’s “The Star”, with two seasons under its belt. The company has also worked closely with MultiChoice for the past two years, producing original shows such as MTF’s “This is Africa” Podcast as well as Dintshang?! With DStv. They have also secured the screen rights for works by Barolong Seboni, a renowned poet and playwright in Botswana, and are currently working on various projects with local and international producers and content creators.

Additionally, N & M Productions have also collaborated in making a second feature film with Angolan filmmaker Levis Albano titled “Muti Mbi Ma Pessoa” which screened in Angola, Brazil, Portugal and even France! They were also invited by Pavillion Afriques to speak about the film industry in Botswana at the most prestigious film festivals in the world, the 2023 Cannes Festival.

Serena and Nikita have also founded a film civil society association called Women in Film Guild Botswana, where they educate, assist, and empower women in film in and around Botswana.

Serena and Nikita’s production house employs a full crew in every project through other production houses and freelancers to spread revenue across the industry. “Together, we created a production company that is more than just a business, it is a movement” exclaimed Nikita.

“MTF is continuously making a powerful impact on the next generation of storytellers, these pioneers are unearthing their power of creativity giving others an opportunity to multiply their magic in the TV industry. We are thrilled to witness the success of our alumni and their ability to set up their own production companies that contributes to not only the creative space but also to the local economy.” stated Christopher Puta, MTF Southern Africa Academy Director

It is evident that Africa is a continent full of potential; a place where creativity and innovation are waiting to be unleashed and these young emerging industry entrepreneurs are on the right track, producing great content on global platforms across the world while meeting specific local industry needs.

To find out more about how MTF visit:

Facebook: MultiChoice Talent Factory

Instagram: @multichoicetalentfactory

Twitter: MC Talent Factory

YouTube: www.multichoicegroup.com

The post The MultiChoice Talent Factory Alumni are Multiplying and Growing the Regions Film Industry first appeared on EBW Magazine.

2023 has seen great local Botswana content  championing the essence of MultiChoice in Botswana – being  Africa’s leading storytelling platform.  DStv Botswana to date has delivered riveting content to its viewers from shows like My Botswana Plate and Bots Top 5, in under a year! Alongside delivering homegrown content, the pay-TV service provider has also engaged in numerous skills transfer activities with local content creators in partnership with the Department of Broadcasting Services under the MultiChoice Talent Factory umbrella. With this, Botswana will soon find a sizeable seat at the table on Mzansi Magic, the time for Botswana to shine is now, it’s your moment to shine!

“Mzansi Magic’s call-for-submissions has come at an incredible time where the Botswana’s creative industry is being seen and felt by both the consumers and our policy makers,” said Thembile Legwaila, MultiChoice Botswana’s Head of Marketing. “The potential of our creative industry is telling of the  socioeconomic and local content needs. We as MultiChoice Botswana  are  proud to be a part of helping shape the way we Botswana’s tell our story.”

Speaking on what this call-for-submission means to the industry, Executive Producer at New Look Studios, Johnson Otlaadisa, had this to say, “This call comes at a time when the industry in Botswana is yearning for more opportunities to tell our stories to the world beyond our borders. It is an answer to prayer for our industry and a critical opportunity for growth; working with Mzansi Magic, who are some of the very best storytellers in Africa.”

Through this call-for-submission, Mzansi Magic is set to engage a local production company to supervise and oversee the development, production and post-production phases of filmmaking on content made for Mzansi Magic channels. These channels include DStv’s Mzansi Magic, Mzansi Wethu, Mzansi Bioskop and Mzansi Magic music channels. An engagement of this nature for a local production company would not only provide it with incomparable exposure but with immeasurable upskilling opportunities as well.

Mzansi Magic has simultaneously made a call for the next fresh made-for-TV movie produced locally for Batswana audiences, with an opportunity available to showcase three movies coming out of this call-for submission.

MultiChoice Botswana urges interested applicants to remember the importance of staying true to the authenticity of our own local stories and to keep in mind the audiences that the content is being made for, “Although the stories being submitted should be geared towards Batswana audiences it’s always important to bear in mind that we live in a world without borders. Content should be unique to Botswana but should also be able to resonate with the rest of Africa as all eyes will be on these films,” adds Legwaila. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the M-Net Corporate Submissions website to apply for the Local Production Supervisor opportunity by visiting the Local Botswana Supervising Producer – Mzansi Magic – M-Net Submissions (mnetcorporate.co.za) website. Those interested in submitting made-for-TV movies are encouraged to visit the Authentically Batswana made for TV movie – Mzansi Magic – M-Net Submissions (mnetcorporate.co.za) website. Call-for-submissions closes on 15^th September 2023 at 0:00

The post Mzansi Magic calls out for authentic local Botswana productions first appeared on EBW Magazine.

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.

The post Botswana Film Triumphs at Durban FilmMart: Vote Now to Bring Home the Audience Choice Award! first appeared on EBW Magazine.

As a distinguished filmmaker herself, Mohwasa will bring her expertise and passion to the stage, representing Botswana’s creative industry and shedding light on the specific challenges faced by talented creatives in her home country. With an in-depth understanding of the industry, Mohwasa will address the pressing issue of accessing adequate financing, highlighting the lack of institutional support and limited access to capital that often hinder the progress of aspiring filmmakers and artists.

Moreover, Mohwasa will emphasize the critical role of public-private partnerships in driving the growth of the African creative industry.

Drawing on her experience, she will discuss the importance of collaboration between governments, financial institutions, and private investors to establish funding mechanisms, grants, and incentives that pave the way for innovation, talent development, and enhanced market access for Botswana’s filmmakers.

Having witnessed the transformative power of capacity building and skills development firsthand from her experience with the Multichoice Talent Factory, Mohwasa will passionately stress the significance of investing in programs tailored to the needs of African filmmakers. Through training initiatives, mentorship programs, and the provision of educational resources, she will advocate for empowering creatives to develop their craft, navigate the complexities of the business landscape, and effectively compete in the global marketplace.

Addressing the challenges surrounding intellectual property rights and copyright protection, Mohwasa will draw attention to the importance of robust legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms.

With her unique blend of expertise, personal experiences, and unwavering dedication to the Botswana creative industry, Masego Mohwasa’s panel discussion promises to be an enlightening and experience for all in attendance. Her words will resonate deeply with creatives in Botswana, inspiring stakeholders to collectively pave the way for a more prosperous and vibrant creative landscape in Botswana and beyond.

The post Masego Mohwasa Takes the Stage at U.S.-Africa Business Summit to talk Empowering Botswana’s Creative Industry first appeared on EBW Magazine.