Filmmaker bags opportunity in Zambia
The former Gamalakhe Commercial High School learner will be working on a project created by Simmy Masuku which was written by award-winning Paul Wilo.
Gamalakhe’s Bongekile Lepheane Madlala, a filmmaker, is in Zambia after she recently bagged an opportunity to direct a 13-episode series with one of the country’s largest production houses, Home Of Films.
The former Gamalakhe Commercial High School learner will be working on a project created by Simmy Masuku which was written by award-winning Paul Wilo.
Madlala said she will be working with some of Zambia’s best actors such as Anne Katamanda, Wilfred Hoare and Nancy Phiri.
She told Fever that she was approached by the production house after they liked the trailer of her film, Memeza.
“I left for Zambia at the end of September. I had been discussing the script with the production house before leaving. I was asked to get to Zambia before October 8 because I need to see the different locations where we will shoot the film, meet the crew and run rehearsals with the cast. I will be in Zambia until we finish shooting the series.” she said.
Madlala is a freelance filmmaker who is studying Film, TV and Video Production at Creative Arts College.
She explained that bagging the Zambian gig has been the biggest scoop for her.
“I’m very honoured, especially because I have always been in South Africa. So this assures and validates my ability of storytelling and creativity through directing,” she said.
She added that her passion for film production started when she was a child.
“My father had a few cameras, he shot birthday celebrations. He would ask my cousins and me to perform something while he took videos and I would choreograph the plays and come up with activities we would do. After matric, I got a film learnership, and after that, I never looked back. Judging from how I liked taking decisions, and planning shots and angles, I knew directing was my first love. I started scripting and directing music videos, and feature films and posting them online, and the feedback I received was amazing.”
She said her biggest goal is to further her studies by obtaining a degree in film production and getting funding for the projects she plans to work on.
Madlala said she hopes that her experience in Zambia will give her enough exposure to be recognised by other production houses outside of South Africa.
She added that in Zambia, she hopes to gain experience that she can use in the future.
“I also hope that the this will be a great networking opportunity. I hope I can get a permanent job after this or more opportunities as a freelancer,” she said.
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