Botswana: The Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture held stakeholder engagement in Selebi Phikwe over the weekend. The event was hosted on Friday under the film office of the ministry and attended by creatives and stakeholders of the industry.
The welcome remarks for the stakeholders engagement was delivered by Bogadi Eunice Kgotlhane. The Programmes Officer I at MYSC Selebi Phikwe spoke of the significance of the engagement. She noted that gatherings like the film stakeholder engagement are very important for the success of the initiative.
She said, that through these platforms, creatives can effectively contribute to the national policy which is under review. The engagement initiatives are being hosted all over the country to encourage the people of the country to contribute to the entertainment sector.
Content Acquisition and Aggregator for the MYSC Film Office, Legae Digwaamaje highlighted that they have helped in training 732 filmmakers and creatives. The participants of the project include the local authorities who were part of the 2023 district film development programme.
He added that short films funded in the district film development programme are unique and entertaining for the audiences The official added that these short films portray our diverse cultural expressions of the country.
The officials have also expressed their concern on the fact that many cities and districts of the country are not showing active participation in the initiative. Most of the content which already acquired through Now! Channel came from around the Gaborone region.
The officials have noticed that the content comes particularly from the Central Business District (CBD). He noted that this way the content becomes monotonous as such he encouraged film makers to produce content that may be supplied internationally.
District Film Development Coordinator, Mandla Mogomotsi highlighted that one (1) short film has been funded from Selebi Phikwe. The short film is called Masaitseweng.
He urged creatives in the area to submit scripts for the films when the 2024 district film development programme.
An industry player, Chilly Segona from Afro-Heavens Creations closed the session by noting that with one production funded in Selebi Phikwe, it motivates them as film makers in the area in order to produce scripts and stand a chance to be funded in the 2024 district film development programme.
The district film development capacity building, short film screenings and Now! upgraded IPTV Platform activations will continue in Jwaneng from the 28th-29th of June.