Esther Beukes, an alumna of the MultiChoice Talent Factory, is celebrating dual milestones in her career that epitomise perseverance and visionary leadership. She was recently appointed as the programme director at the Filmmakers Association of Namibia (FAN), where she is set to steer initiatives that elevate Namibia’s film industry on the global stage.
Simultaneously, her series ‘The Mind of Alkebulan’ has been selected for the 17th edition of Talents Durban, marking a significant achievement in African filmmaking.
Beukes’ series explores deep into the complex tapestry of African mental health, juxtaposing Western psychological paradigms with indigenous cultural values.
“With the alarming rate of male suicides in Namibia and our shared colonial trauma, I questioned if current diagnostic methods truly serve urban African contexts. Each character in the series represents a journey of healing and identity, bridging cultural heritage with modern challenges,” she stated.
Reflecting on her journey to Talents Durban, Beukes said submitting her application was intimidating, but she embraced the opportunity to refine her ideas and connect with industry peers across Africa.
She eagerly anticipates the mentorship and networking opportunities that Talents Durban will provide, as she aims to further elevate her storytelling prowess.
In her new role at FAN, she aims to impact policy and foster collaboration within Namibia’s film community.
“I envision FAN as a hub for aspiring filmmakers, advocating for inclusive practices and equitable opportunities. My goal is to strengthen Namibia’s film ecosystem through shared knowledge and strategic partnerships,” she said.
Beukes, sees herself as a voice for film students and newcomers trying to find their way in the industry.
Moreover, she is committed to sharing information and creating platforms where information is shared.
Attending the inaugural cohort of the Multichoice Talent Factory in 2018/2019 was an incredibly enriching experience, she said.
Not only did the opportunity give her valuable insights into Southern Africa’s film industry, but helped her discover her strengths and weaknesses.
“During my internships in Zambia, I was fortunate enough to make connections, and be invited back to Lusaka to work on popular Zambian Telenovela ‘Zuba’ as an assistant director and then associate producer, which still airs on DStv’s Zambezi Magic,” she said.
Navigating the film industry in Namibia has been quite a journey, said Beukes.
With a smaller population and fewer opportunities, she realised early on that she needed to broaden her horizons. So, she took a leap of faith and ventured into the film scenes of Kenya, Zambia and South Africa.
Starting from scratch in each of these countries was challenging, building networks and learning the ropes all over again, but it was rewarding.
Now that she is back in Namibia, Beukes is excited to apply everything she has learned, and act as a bridge connecting local industry with the broader African film community. Her goal is to spark collaboration across the continent.
“I think it’s about time that as Namibian Filmmakers, we become united by collaborating and sharing knowledge and resources. I think being a part of FAN is an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than us in a way we can create a sustainable industry. Follow the FAN social media accounts to find the sign-up links,” she said.