Film
Phala: A Botswana film showcase bound for Berlinale and Cannes 2024
In the emerging world of film in Botswana, emerges the narrative of “Phala.” This abstract short film, born from a serendipitous conversation between filmmaker Mooretsi Gabang and a long-lost schoolmate, is poised for acclaim at the esteemed Berlinale and Cannes film festivals in 2024, alongside Gabang’s feature “Zombie Date Night in Tlokweng.”, Bone Chone of OniroHouse.
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.
Film
Botswana’s Johnson Otlaadisa appointed as Production Supervisor for Mzansi Bioskop Local Film Project by Multichoice
In August of 2023, MultiChoice Botswana called for the submission of local film concepts alongside the role of a Production Supervisor who would go on to produce three local films to air on Mzansi Bioskop (DStv Channel 164). After months of a rigorous adjudication process, MultiChoice Botswana is excited to announce the appointment of local Motswana film fixer and agent, Johnson Otlaadisa as Production Supervisor.
“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.
From aspiring filmmakers to production company owners – the sky is the limit for two Botswana TV and film producers.
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
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