Mmifinyana & Mokgware at the Cannes Film Festival

Duo to pitch Dimo in the Sky animation

The Chairperson of the Women in Film Botswana Guild, Nikita Mokgware and Vice Chairperson, Serene Mmifinyana departed for France earlier this week. The two are slated to attend this year’s Cannes Film Festival, at the invitation of the Pavillon Afrique. Ahead of the event, the two partners have been working around the clock on a one- of- akind pitch which Mmifinyana, who sits on the Board of the Women in Film Television International, will present on May 19th.

The pitch is based on the thrilling and exciting folktale of Dimo. Dubbed Dimo in the Sky, this will be an animation production which will be pitched before investors. For the developing animation industry in Botswana, this will be an incredible opportunity for Mmifinyana, and her partner to tap into this folktale and creatively share it with those with power to pump some money into the project.

This also means that Botswana, that for years has been consuming animation products from across the world, can finally have something to call their own. Sharing how this opportunity came about to be able to pitch, Mmifinyana explains that there was a call for concepts by the Pavillon Afrique, and the duo who are always eager to take advantage of any opportunity, jumped at this opportunity. “We have been working hard on the pitch. Our pitch is getting stronger by the day,” she explains, highlighting that it is a good pitch.

Speaking from their base for the next coming days in France, she also says that besides the concept pitch, she will be seating on a roundtable panel dubbed Animation is Growing which will take place on May 25th. This, she says, will give Mmifinyana, who has refined love for animation, a rare chance to hear all about the animation and diversity of this highly profitable industry.

The opportunity will also give her a chance to hear how others are going beyond the realm to develop an array of stories, as well as expand on cultural stories. “It is an endless opportunity,” she says.

She also points out that the time is now to tell authentic African stories, and tap on folktales such as those of Chiwele, and other stories from Southern Africa, and create new concepts.

“We have untapped stories which we can use to borrow from them or better yet create our own. Most importantly, we can make genre specific films,” explains Mmifinyana.

She further says that with regards to the Botswana landscape, the animation industry has seen an interest from some studios and producers who have done a few works, and are using 3D animation. Just recently, they attended the Ditoro Film Festival where there were two animation films showcased.

During their stay in France, she is hoping that they will tap into the global perspectives, and see how they can collaborate and lure investors to Botswana as well as secure internship/ training for Batswana.

Speaking with Mokgware, she explains that this is a great opportunity for them. “There will be film makers and investors from across the world, as well as a lot of people who do what we do on an experienced level. And there is just so much for us to take from there,” she says.

Mokgware also says that for a developing industry like that of Botswana, they needed to play catch up with the rest of the world, and take the lessons from there to enrich the local industry. “We will get to meet like minded people and also have a chance to see what the film industry has been working on,” she points out.

The Cannes Film Festival takes place on May 16th- 17th, and the Pavillon Afrique event is scheduled for May 16th- 25th. The Pavillon Afrique is said to be a dedicated tent within the Film market section of the Cannes Film Festival, and is dedicated to the business film in the African continent and the diaspora. This will be the fifth year that the event takes place, having been launched in May 2019. Highlights of the ten- day programme will include strategic reflections, with roundtable discussion and exchanges, a segment on Country Presentation where delegates have an opportunity to sell themselves/ their work with the hope of attracting investors. Other highlights include educational activities in the form of trainings, workshops and masterclasses delivered by experts, Pitch sessions, meet- ups, as well as screenings for professionals where there will screening of content from Africa and the diaspora, and will be available for professional buyers, presentations and networking sessions.

The origin of the Cannes Film Festival dates back to 1938, Jean Zay, the French Minister of National Education, on the proposal of high- ranking official and historian, Philippe Erlanger and film journalist, Robert Favre Le Bret decided to set up an international cinematographic festival. The festival is the international marketplace where producers and distributors exchange ideas, view films and sign contracts.