(Trailers+Photos): Siphiwe Mbata, filmmaker extraordinaire!
It is imperative that South African movie buffs create their own content for an industry in which the players are hungry and eager to leave their own distinctive mark.
The name Siphiwe Mbata is one not too many South Africans are familiar with, but the 25-year-old is set to change that. Mbata already boasts six films under his belt-three of which were self-funded-and is intent on battering down doors to make sure that locally written, produced and directed content can compete with international offerings in the film industry.
His journey has not been without its share of disappointments, but this has not deterred the young filmmaker from pursuing his dreams. According to the driven founder and director of Favour Media, his love for the medium started from a very young age and he has graced our TV screens by appearing in a number of local commercials.
Shortly after graduating from AFDA in 2014, he said, “I saw the need for local actors to produce their own content because many film graduates struggle to find acting jobs.”
This realisation spurred him on to write, produce and direct content which resonates with South Africans from all walks of life. The prolific producer said, “One of the films we made, Isthandwa sami, has been selected to be screened at the Pan African Film Festival in Kenya later this year as well as being nominated in the overall best writing category.”
Mbata has been hard at work battering down the doors which remain shut to local filmmakers and films like Ifa and 45 were screened on Mzansi Magic recently, adding more notches under his filmmaking belt.
He thanked the Gauteng Film Commission for their willingness to work with a newcomer to the industry and said, “It’s great that the Gauteng Film Commission is on board and always keep their door open to provide advice and assistance. This stems mainly from the fact that the stories we tell are universal and speak to our audiences on a level they identify with.”
“The Bioscope Independent Cinema at the Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg always extend a hand and their support has been instrumental in our growth.”
Favour Media will be hosting their 1st official Favour Film festival at the Bioscope cinema on September 8th. The first, Hustle will start at 4 pm, while Zachariah and Ben 70 will be screened at 6 pm and 8 pm respectively.
Mbata is definitely carving a name for himself in the industry and sources his actors from Soweto, which is the location for most of his films.
He said that he believed in ploughing back into his community by mentoring film students and using actors with disabilities as he feels that this segment of our population remains largely overlooked.
There is more on the cards for Mbata who plans to conduct workshops on filmmaking across the country to share his knowledge and skills with aspirant filmmakers.
To get in touch, you may follow him on Instagram and Facebook at siphiwembata. Alternatively, visit the Favour Media website: www.favourmedia.co.za or call him on 066Â 048 7379.
TRAILERS:
Ben 70
Zachariah
The Hustle
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