Local film to premiere in Durban
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Sunday July 16, 2023 06:00
According to a press release from ZDNIT marketing executive, Tricia Sello, their screenwriter and director, Moreetsi Gabang, will travel to Durban to attend the premiere at DFM.
At the event, he will find out whether the movie will make history by being the first Botswana film to win the NEFTI Africa competition. ZDNIT was produced by Frank Oteng. Sello explained that NEFTI Africa is a highly competitive short film competition by Austrian vodka brand NEFTI, African Bank, Adobe, TikTok and the International Emerging Film Talents Association (IEFTA).
She said the top three finalists, Gabang and two South Africans, received $3,000 to produce their short films, which will compete for the coveted top spot. Sello added that on the same day, audiences would have the opportunity to vote for the movie for the audience choice award category. “The team has just launched a marketing campaign for the film, which started with inviting the media to their set.
The goal of the marketing campaign is to win the audience choice award, which will go a long way in showcasing the immense talent that Batswana has and demonstrate that we are capable of competing and excelling against international film professionals,” she explained. Sello also pointed out that following the success of the short film, Gabang, Oteng and their team hope to continue collaborating with other local filmmakers in producing high-quality films to put the Botswana film industry on the map. She said the actors in the film included acclaimed South African actor Marcus Mabusela, rising star Gofaone Nkwane and internationally celebrated comedian William Last KRM.
The featured cast boasts big names in the local comedy scene such as Jethro ‘Umaga’ Ndebele, Bambino Ndiwenyu, Triccs, and Jonny Pula. Other actors include Precious Olerile, Lebone Mokone, Mamelang Lefitlhile and 10-year-old Olerato Kgalemang. She added that the crew included all accomplished Batswana creatives such as first assistant director Ellen Phooko, director of photography Vaima Kario, Gaffer, Thebe Gee Radiakwana assisted by Karabo Mogorosi and Lebone Mokone, while the first AC/Focus Puller was Mana Seboni and other members with different roles.
“Gabang considers it an honour to debut the short film at the most prestigious FilmMart on the Continent, and he is humbled by the opportunity to share his film with the international film community that descends on Durban every year for the FilmMart. He and Oteng are further appreciative of BBS and Aqua Water for sponsoring the production. They look forward to more collaborative opportunities with local brands,” she ended.