BAKA NGWANE FOR LESOTHO EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL

MBABANE – The freshly released film ‘Baka Ngwane’ is set to be screened at the forthcoming European Film Festival, scheduled to take place at the Alliance Française de Maseru on November 22.

This announcement was made by the film’s director, Sibusiso ‘Sparks’ Dlamini, during an interview with this publication.  “The film will debut in Lesotho, and we will also be travelling there on the day to witness the screening. We will come back and share the experience,” Dlamini stated. ‘Baka Ngwane’ celebrates the vibrant culture, rich heritage and remarkable history of the Kingdom of Eswatini, rooted in the traditions of the Bantu-speaking Nguni people.

Premiere

The film had its premiere in September this year at Julios Cinelux in Manzini, coinciding with the Independence Day festivities. The European Union Film Festival is making a grand return to Lesotho from 14 - 30 November this year, promising a more exhilarating programme than ever before.  In collaboration with the Alliance Française de Maseru, the festival is supported by the European Union (EU) in Lesotho, along with the embassies and cultural institutes of EU member States based in the region. This year’s festival is themed; ‘Inclusivity, Diversity and Human Rights,’ making it a significant celebration of both cinema and culture. A total of 30 films will be showcased throughout the festival.

The event will offer a diverse selection of European and local films, delving into themes such as identity, resilience, family, social justice and cultural heritage.  It will feature works from both renowned filmmakers and emerging talents, including contributions from Lesotho and Eswatini. Various venues will host the festival across both nations, including the Alliance Française de Maseru, the National University of Lesotho, Café What? and The Hub.  Additionally, workshops and seminars tailored for aspiring filmmakers will provide invaluable opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking.  By bringing together a wide array of voices and perspectives, the European Film Festival aims to inspire audiences, promote intercultural understanding and enhance the vibrant cinematic landscape of both Lesotho and Eswatini. EU Ambassador-designate Karsten Mecklenburg, highlighted the festival’s potential to ignite inspiration and evoke shared human emotions.

Articulated

This was articulated in a recent press release shared with this publication. “Motion pictures and cinema are central to our European cultural heritage.  As in previous years, I am thrilled that the European Union Film Festival will inspire all of us and evoke our shared human emotions.  It is also heartening that the festival will further extend a hand to the local creative industries through an audio-visual workshop, empowering emaSwati youth as drivers of innovation, job creation and positive change in the Kingdom. This is part of a wider effort by the EU to foster cultural exchanges and collaborations within the country,” Mecklenburg remarked.

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