25 Sep 2019

 A short film written and directed by a Motswana has been nominated for the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAAs) 2019 in Nigeria alongside other short films from across the African continent.

The film titled Motswakwa loosely translated to mean a foreigner has been nominated under the Efere Ozako Award for Best Short Film category for the awards ceremony scheduled for October 26 and 27.

Motswakwa tells a story of a father and daughter’s application for asylum being rejected, forcing the daughter to go beyond the confines of the law.

In an interview with BOPA, the director of the short film, Gabang Moreetsi said he drew inspiration from the effects of Brexit and the 2006 lunar house sex scandal, whereby United Kingdom (UK) immigration officers requested sex from female asylum seekers in exchange for visas.

The short drama film also narrates the struggles faced by refugees and the extent to which human beings would go for those they love.

“I sought to bring my own perspective on humanity by exploring a father-daughter relationship to understand the factors that motivate someone to go the extreme lengths in order to achieve their dreams,” he said.

The Botswana native and two-time recipient of the Bessie Head Literature Award recently completed his Masters (MA) in film, specialising in directing and screenwriting at the London College of Communication, where his thesis film Motswakwa was in the festival circuit.

This happened after he also received the Vice-chancellor Postgraduate International Scholarship from the London College.

He has also received his bachelors degree in motion picture medium at AFDA School for the creative economy, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The 26- year-old has lived in Botswana, South Africa, Belgium, Ethiopia and the UK and has used his experience on the thematic elements of love, reconciliation and the consequences of the past, in his works.

Passionate about film-making, Moreetsi said unlike most people who see film making as a hobby with limited opportunities, to him, the industry has the potential to shape the identity of the nation.

He said film-makers in Botswana were uniquely stationed to address the nation’s challenges such as youth unemployment and the growing divide between the young and the old.

“Because of my steadfast belief that art matters, I returned home following my postgraduate studies in London to have real impact and plough back into the society,” he added

Currently, Moreetsi is working on a short film set in Botswana which will be produced by Mandela Films (The Suit) and NIO Visuals.

He is also developing a documentary centered on human-elephant conflict. Ends