JOHANNESBURG – M-Net’s local films channel celebrates one year of great storytelling, capping a very successful year of showcasing non-stop South African movies for audiences all across the country.
Launched on September 10 last year, Mzansi Bioskop started off with a bold vision: to create a24-hour full-blown local movie channel that would tell homegrown stories for audiences, as well as provide a significant stimulus for the South African movie industry.
“On both of these scores, I believe that we have achieved way beyond our expectations,” says Nkateko Mabaso, M-Net’s Director for Local Interest Channels.
“Mzansi Bioskop’s audience have welcome the authentic Mzansi stories that are told through the content on the channel, because they are a reflection of the life and experiences of our people and the communities they know.We look back with pride on the first year and forward to the next year of original, South African storytelling.”
“We have also been able to unearth new creative talent – writers, directors, actors and others in the South African film industry who have responded to our call for homegrown stories. This, together with giving existing players in the industry an outlet, means that Mzansi Bioskop is playing an increasingly important role in the healthy state of movie-making in the country.”
Among the recent films showcased on Mzansi Bioskop are Plastic Money by Blackbrain, Viva Gomora (Urbanbrew), Kings of Soweto (Langelihle Productions) and Reflections which was screened on Tuesday September 30.
In total Mzansi Bioskop has an inventory of over three hundered films produced to date. Most of these have been shown on Mzansi Bioskop during the past twelve months – and, over the coming year, viewers can look forward to more great stories to be told.
Mzansi Bioskop is part of Mzansi Magic, M-Net’s powerhouse proudly South African brand. Occupying channel 164 on DStv, Mzansi Bioskop is available to viewers on the DStv Access, Family, Compact, Extra and Premium packages.
