Today MultiChoice Botswana announced that local content creators can take part in a truly African production opportunity. Mzansi Magic on DStv Botswana channel 161 has issued a call for submissions for made-for-tv movies made specifically for Batswana audiences, as well as for a Local Motswana Production Supervisor to work on content for Mzansi Magic channels.
2023 has seen great local Botswana content championing the essence of MultiChoice in Botswana – being Africa’s leading storytelling platform. DStv Botswana to date has delivered riveting content to its viewers from shows like My Botswana Plate and Bots Top 5, in under a year! Alongside delivering homegrown content, the pay-TV service provider has also engaged in numerous skills transfer activities with local content creators in partnership with the Department of Broadcasting Services under the MultiChoice Talent Factory umbrella. With this, Botswana will soon find a sizeable seat at the table on Mzansi Magic, the time for Botswana to shine is now, it’s your moment to shine!
“Mzansi Magic’s call-for-submissions has come at an incredible time where the Botswana’s creative industry is being seen and felt by both the consumers and our policy makers,” said Thembile Legwaila, MultiChoice Botswana’s Head of Marketing. “The potential of our creative industry is telling of the socioeconomic and local content needs. We as MultiChoice Botswana are proud to be a part of helping shape the way we Botswana’s tell our story.”
Speaking on what this call-for-submission means to the industry, Executive Producer at New Look Studios, Johnson Otlaadisa, had this to say, “This call comes at a time when the industry in Botswana is yearning for more opportunities to tell our stories to the world beyond our borders. It is an answer to prayer for our industry and a critical opportunity for growth; working with Mzansi Magic, who are some of the very best storytellers in Africa.”
Through this call-for-submission, Mzansi Magic is set to engage a local production company to supervise and oversee the development, production and post-production phases of filmmaking on content made for Mzansi Magic channels. These channels include DStv’s Mzansi Magic, Mzansi Wethu, Mzansi Bioskop and Mzansi Magic music channels. An engagement of this nature for a local production company would not only provide it with incomparable exposure but with immeasurable upskilling opportunities as well.
Mzansi Magic has simultaneously made a call for the next fresh made-for-TV movie produced locally for Batswana audiences, with an opportunity available to showcase three movies coming out of this call-for submission.
MultiChoice Botswana urges interested applicants to remember the importance of staying true to the authenticity of our own local stories and to keep in mind the audiences that the content is being made for, “Although the stories being submitted should be geared towards Batswana audiences it’s always important to bear in mind that we live in a world without borders. Content should be unique to Botswana but should also be able to resonate with the rest of Africa as all eyes will be on these films,” adds Legwaila.
Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the M-Net Corporate Submissions website to apply for the Local Production Supervisor opportunity by visiting the Local Botswana Supervising Producer – Mzansi Magic – M-Net Submissions (mnetcorporate.co.za) website. Those interested in submitting made-for-TV movies are encouraged to visit the Authentically Batswana made for TV movie – Mzansi Magic – M-Net Submissions (mnetcorporate.co.za) website. Call-for-submissions closes on 15th September 2023 at 0:00