Young Limpopo filmmakers celebrate their achievements
Recently, 134 future filmmakers from Limpopo celebrated their first steps in the entertainment industry in Pulaneng outside Maake.
These fortunate students are part of a skills and internship programme in film and television production, which was was initiated by the Africa Institute of Multimedia (AIM).
AIM was founded by the Bolabothaba Media Group, owned by SAFTA award winning filmmaker, Molatelo Maenetje-Bossman and Karabo Rabjanyane.
The programme started on 1 April and concluded on Wednesday, 30 June as part of a stimulus grant programme which was awarded to the company.
Rabjanyane said that the project aims to tranfer skills from Gauteng back to the province.
“We are trying to change the mindset of our people. There is so much talent in the province.
“TV has been glamourised for so long that our people think that they have to go to Gauteng to make a name for themselves,” he said.
He added that through the programme they aim to close the gap in the region, as other provinces, such as KwaZulu-Natal, have been able to achieve.
The project, which has been accredited by Micseta, has produced three short films that has been selected for the Limpopo International Film Festival. All the films were produced by the students.
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Stakeholders, such as the Greater Tzaneen Economic Development Agency, the Limpopo International Film Festival, the Film Institute (LIFF) of South Africa and the Greater Tzaneen Municipality gave messages of support.
Victor Molele from LIFF, an award-winning novelist, congratulated the students and told them that they have a bright future ahead of them.
“Film is an industry of love, so you have to love it whole-heartedly.
“This is one of the few industries which produces creators, not consumers, so it is important for the community,” Molele said.
Maenetje-Bossman gave the keynote address.
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She expressed how proud she is of her students, but was sad that she will soon part ways with them.
“We didn’t want to shut the door for those that don’t have degrees or diplomas in film, hence the minimum requirement for this programme was grade 12.
“We currently don’t have support from our local government and it is disappointing.
“Through film investors in tourism can be attracted to the province,” she said.
and Victor Phiri.
After her keynote address, Victor Phiri from LIFF and Mokgadi Modjadji, officially handed Maenetje-Bossman her SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Outstanding Provincial Contribution, which she won earlier this year for the work she is doing in Limpopo.
The proceedings were virtually broadcast to the other districts of Limpopo; Waterberg, Sekhukhune, Capricorn and Vhembe.
