The creatives behind ‘ Dimo in the sky’, Mokgware and Mmifinyana are convinced they made a good pitch at the Cannes Film Festival.

Nikita Mokgware and Serene Mmifinyana arrived, saw and conquered the Cannes Film Festival. The two happen to be Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Women in Film Botswana Guild.

They recently returned from their maiden sojourn from one of the biggest film festivals in the world. And they are ready to hit the ground running. Charged up and blown away by the amount of knowledge and lessons that they learnt from the just ended global event, this week, they were keen to follow up the contacts they have made from their fruitful networking sessions. This week alone, they had a number of meetings lined up, all of which, they hope will bear some fruits. The duo was invited by the Pavilion Afrique, and they attended a number of panel discussions, networking opportunities. Most importantly, they had a chance to present investors with their folktale pitch of Dimo in the sky. Speaking in an interview with this publication, Mmifinyana, who also sits on the Board of the Women in Film Television International tells this publication that their adventure to the Cannes Film Festival was very fruitful. During the ten- day event, she also had a chance to sit on a round table panel discussion dubbed Animation is growing. Interestingly, she shares that their pitch has made the right noise, and that one of those who is interested in the production is an American based producer who is in children’s production. The producer in question, she says, is keen to see how she can help them. “She has asked to see our script. So you can imagine our level of excitement that we might possibly have an Executive Producer in the pipeline,” she explains noting that the producer in question might also assist them with budgeting costs. The good news now means the duo have to work tirelessly around the clock, and finish the 90 pages script. The mystery producer was also blown away by how the story ties in, as well as the dynamics of culture and fantasy, and African mythology. “She told us that we have a good story

on our hands,” she shares. She explains that what might have appealed to this producer as well as others in the industry is this current shift in the market, where there is a lot of interest for cultural folktale productions. “The market wants to see more content from the diaspora,” she explains. Still relishing the whole experience of pitching for potential investors and partners, she points out that they are humbled by the experience that the Pavillion Afrique has given them, and the prospects that might materialise from that opportunity. “It was really a wonderful experience to have distributors and industry experts as well as stakeholders come and listen to us. And to say to us, I like what you are doing, how can we work together,” explains Mmifinyana. Sharing what they have taken from the whole experience, she points out that what is incredible about this platform is the networking opportunities as well as chances to tell their audience about the Botswana landscape. The onus is now on the two of them to follow up with the contacts that they have made, and see what opportunities they might unlock. Mmifinyana further explains that Botswana is the next film hub, and that many people were excited to hear first- hand about the Botswana film industry. “People wanted to know about Botswana, and how they could work with us. We have also been invited to other international film festivals,” she notes, highlighting that they hope they will inspire their peers locally to open their eyes beyond the borders. “We have been invited to the Cannes festival again next year. And we want to see other Batswana go,” she adds, noting that they want the eco system to benefit not only them but others as well. Meanwhile, she adds that they recently attended the Forbes Under 30 event, and that during the event they met with a UK based journalist. Mokgware, who had planned a family visit to the UK was also penciled to meet up with the Journalist in question and tap into that opportunity. In the long run, she explains that they wish to assure those who might be thinking about venturing into the film industry that this is a viable business, a livelihood that can feed families. “Right now in Paris, the film industry has surpassed the car industry,” she notes.