Gold award for local production
Set in the Kalahari, the film gives a unique look at indigenous African starlore and folklore
Sida Tsoatsoas’ means ‘Our Beginning’ in Nama, the local Kalahari language of the Bushmen and has indeed cemented a foundation for a local production studio who won an international gold award for their mixed-media dome film.
Gimbal Media, located on a farm in Winterton, is a small design and animation studio that focuses on creating great design and animation accessible for start-ups and big corporations alike.
First African planetarium film
The team, which also consists of creative partners from Cape Town and Balito, produced ‘Sida Tsoatsoas’, which is the first African planetarium film that features indigenous African starlore and folklore and combines live action with animation sequences.
Set among the red dunes of the Kalahari, this film explores the vastness of the universe and stars, as seen through the eyes of the Bushmen culture.
Siemon Steyn, who worked alongside his mother Betta for the animation sequence, lived in the Kalahari for more than 20 years and after returning to Winterton, a plan was set in motion to create a film that was unique to South African viewers.
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International Tourism Film Festival Africa awards
Unbeknownst to the pair, a team member from Cape Town entered ‘Sida Tsoatsoas’ in the ‘International Tourism Film Festival Africa’ under the category of history and heritage.
“We had no idea and it was quite a surprise for us,” said Steyn.
During the first week of May, Siemon travelled to Cape Town to attend the awards function, as well as be part of a two-day masterclass that was hosted by some of the heavyweights in the international film and tourism industry.
A gala awards event was held on May 6 and there was plenty of celebrating for Gimbal Media and their partners, as they scooped the gold award in their category for the film.
“This was a huge team effort and all applause goes to the team,” Steyn said.
This award not only catapults the team to an international stage, but also shines a light on tourism in South Africa, especially the Kalahari.
“The Kalahari is under-advertised in tourism, but has so much potential with those rolling dunes. Because we lived there for so many years, it was an obvious choice to make a film about that area – the culture of the Bushman, the star-lore and folklore. Many times, we look to overseas productions to learn more about the stars and universe, but South Africa is very rich in lore, myths and folk tales about different aspects of the cosmos. We are trying to get South Africans interested in what we have to offer locally,” Steyn explained when asked how this award would benefit the film.
The film is currently being featured at the planetariums in Cape Town and Sutherland.
