Bantu Film Festival pushes local stories onto world stage
JOHANNES KAMBAI | Friday October 16, 2026 11:25
For Festival Director, Lesedi Mphothwe, the milestone is both a celebration and a challenge. “Reaching our fifth edition is an important milestone, not only for the festival but also for Botswana’s film industry,” she opines. “This year we want to build on that foundation and look more closely at what it takes to grow a sustainable film industry.” The festival also coincides with Botswana’s 60th independence anniversary and Mphothwe sees it as a chance to examine identity through film.
“It is an opportunity to reflect on our stories, our identity and how we can share our experiences with the world,” she states. In practical terms, the theme is about equipping filmmakers to take their work further. “We have talented people with powerful stories, but telling a good story is only one part of filmmaking,” she explains. “Filmmakers also need the right skills, resources, industry connections and opportunities to distribute their work.”
A story rooted in a Maubelo village, she insists, can travel because “human experiences such as love, family, loss, identity and belonging are universal”. Funding remains the hardest barrier and Mphothwe says: “Talent alone is not enough to sustain a film industry.” According to organisers, this year’s edition will create space for filmmakers to meet investors, policymakers and potential partners, and to learn how to prepare strong proposals and budgets.
“We are not suggesting that attending a festival automatically guarantees funding. Rather, we want to help filmmakers build the knowledge and relationships that can move their projects forward,” adds Mphothwe. Audiences can expect more than screenings. Opening night at Masa New Capitol Cinema on October 20 runs from 5pm to 9.30pm under the dress code “Dressed by the Movies,” drawing from 1980s, 1990s and 2000s film styles, with prizes for the best looks. Industry discussions will examine how Botswana actors can access international work. A workshop will explore ethics in documentary filmmaking and collaborative sound design.
Closing and awards night takes place on 24 October. Human Rights Tattoo will also be present, linking art to conversations about rights. Mphothwe’s message to local filmmakers is straightforward: “Do not underestimate the power of your story.
Start where you are, with what you have... Your Botswana story matters. Your Setswana language matters. Your community matters.” Five editions later, the festival is still building. The work continues because, as Mphothwe puts it, ‘African stories deserve the platform’.