A local short film titled Momeya, crafted and produced by Ndakalako Shilongo received two accolades at the recently concluded Bantu Film Festival in Gaborone, Botswana.
The film was honoured with awards for Best Costume Design and Make-Up as well as Best Cinematography. The festival, which took place from 8 to 12 October, served as a dynamic platform for African cinema, showcasing approximately 30 films from various countries across the continent. Namibia was notably represented by a group of filmmakers, supported by the Namibia Film Commission’s mobility funding, enabling Armas Shivute Armas, Ndakalako Shilongo, Ute-Yan Smith, Mukendu Ndjavera, and Tjiurimo Kandjii to participate in the event.
“I am excited. I feel extremely proud of the film, my team, and especially myself. When I started working on Momeya, it was just an idea. To see what that idea has blossomed into and how much everyone across borders is connecting with it is extremely rewarding and validating in the most humbling way possible,” Shilongo excitedly told VIBEZ!
She remarked that Momeya, as a whole, is remarkably distinctive. The film serves as a Namibian period piece set in an imaginative realm, drawing inspiration from Namibian folklore. Additionally, the exquisite handmade costumes donned by the actors contribute to its uniqueness, while the narrative unfolds entirely without the use of dialogue.
“All of these beautiful elements come together to tell the story of Momeya. As a viewer, you’re in for an artistic feast for your eyes and soul. This is a story that pulls at your heartstrings and connects with you in ways that you didn’t know were possible to identify a film with,” she enticed.
Shilongo indicated that they are currently focused on developing the narrative of Momeya further.
“We were only able to tell a small fragment of the entire story and those who have been lucky enough to see the short film will agree that it aroused curiosity and so many questions. We have piqued the interest of the viewers, and we are excitedly working on answering those questions in the form of a feature film. This is just the beginning for Momeya,” said the filmmaker.
The lead actress in Momeya Ute-Yan Smith, told VIBEZ! yesterday her experience was enlightening and positive and that Ndakalako set a precedent with the production of this film, and “I am so proud to be part of it.”
Her role in Momeyais Letu—the earthbound girl. Smith said preparing for Letu was unlike any role she had tackled before.
“I started by crafting her backstory, which helped me embrace the duality of her character. Since it’s a non-dialogue film, I incorporated movement study elements to develop her mannerisms and expressions, allowing me to convey her emotions effectively,” Smith stated.
She said trust was crucial in embodying Letu, and Ndakalako greatly smoothed out the process.
“The trust among us cast enabled us to explore various dynamics during rehearsals, helping us be open and vulnerable. It enhanced our performances. I realised I had to let go of my thoughts and fully immerse myself in the story and the world of
Letu. To aid in this process, I created a playlist for her, which helped me get into her headspace and fully embrace the character,” said Smith.
“It is a testament to its rich quality and allure and what it means for the future expansion of the film,” she said.
Smith added that based on her observations, film production in Namibia is on the rise, but the consumption of local films is concerning.
“Local films—both features and shorts—rarely air on television, leaving many locals unaware of the rich stories and quality productions our country offers. Films are typically only seen during premieres or on YouTube, which diminishes their appeal.
There is a strong desire for local films; people are curious and eager to see our stories told and showcased to the world. The main barrier to this symbiotic relationship is the lack of effective distribution and visibility,” she expanded.
The actress noted that the industry is at a stage where key players, stakeholders, and pioneers recognise the need for tangible growth.
“Standards must be established, and the Namibian film industry needs to shape its identity. We must communicate who we are as Namibia and what our industry represents. Change is underway,” she said.
A local short film titled Momeya, crafted and produced by Ndakalako Shilongo received two accolades at the recently concluded Bantu Film Festival in Gaborone, Botswana.
The film was honoured with awards for Best Costume Design and Make-Up as well as Best Cinematography. The festival, which took place from 8 to 12 October, served as a dynamic platform for African cinema, showcasing approximately 30 films from various countries across the continent. Namibia was notably represented by a group of filmmakers, supported by the Namibia Film Commission’s mobility funding, enabling Armas Shivute Armas, Ndakalako Shilongo, Ute-Yan Smith, Mukendu Ndjavera, and Tjiurimo Kandjii to participate in the event.
“I am excited. I feel extremely proud of the film, my team, and especially myself. When I started working on Momeya, it was just an idea. To see what that idea has blossomed into and how much everyone across borders is connecting with it is extremely rewarding and validating in the most humbling way possible,” Shilongo excitedly told VIBEZ!
She remarked that Momeya, as a whole, is remarkably distinctive. The film serves as a Namibian period piece set in an imaginative realm, drawing inspiration from Namibian folklore. Additionally, the exquisite handmade costumes donned by the actors contribute to its uniqueness, while the narrative unfolds entirely without the use of dialogue.
“All of these beautiful elements come together to tell the story of Momeya. As a viewer, you’re in for an artistic feast for your eyes and soul. This is a story that pulls at your heartstrings and connects with you in ways that you didn’t know were possible to identify a film with,” she enticed.
Shilongo indicated that they are currently focused on developing the narrative of Momeya further.
“We were only able to tell a small fragment of the entire story and those who have been lucky enough to see the short film will agree that it aroused curiosity and so many questions. We have piqued the interest of the viewers, and we are excitedly working on answering those questions in the form of a feature film. This is just the beginning for Momeya,” said the filmmaker.
The lead actress in Momeya Ute-Yan Smith, told VIBEZ! yesterday her experience was enlightening and positive and that Ndakalako set a precedent with the production of this film, and “I am so proud to be part of it.”
Her role in Momeyais Letu—the earthbound girl. Smith said preparing for Letu was unlike any role she had tackled before.
“I started by crafting her backstory, which helped me embrace the duality of her character. Since it’s a non-dialogue film, I incorporated movement study elements to develop her mannerisms and expressions, allowing me to convey her emotions effectively,” Smith stated.
She said trust was crucial in embodying Letu, and Ndakalako greatly smoothed out the process.
“The trust among us cast enabled us to explore various dynamics during rehearsals, helping us be open and vulnerable. It enhanced our performances. I realised I had to let go of my thoughts and fully immerse myself in the story and the world of
Letu. To aid in this process, I created a playlist for her, which helped me get into her headspace and fully embrace the character,” said Smith.
“It is a testament to its rich quality and allure and what it means for the future expansion of the film,” she said.
Smith added that based on her observations, film production in Namibia is on the rise, but the consumption of local films is concerning.
“Local films—both features and shorts—rarely air on television, leaving many locals unaware of the rich stories and quality productions our country offers. Films are typically only seen during premieres or on YouTube, which diminishes their appeal.
There is a strong desire for local films; people are curious and eager to see our stories told and showcased to the world. The main barrier to this symbiotic relationship is the lack of effective distribution and visibility,” she expanded.
The actress noted that the industry is at a stage where key players, stakeholders, and pioneers recognise the need for tangible growth.
“Standards must be established, and the Namibian film industry needs to shape its identity. We must communicate who we are as Namibia and what our industry represents. Change is underway,” she said.