Chris Theko
Film Sector Groundbreakers (FSG) has launched the Maseru film club programme which is said to be a tool to boost the film industry.
The initiative was established in the name of bringing together members of the general public, from all age groups especially those with interest in watching and making films.
According to the founder of FSG, Aubrey Silinyane, the driving force behind the initiative is to mitigate the absence of movie theatres in Lesotho.
“As you might know, the last cinema that was at the Pioneer Mall closed about five years ago. So one of the major challenges faced by the film industry in Lesotho is that filmmakers have no platform where the general public can watch their new films for leisure in public spaces,” Silinyane said.
He stated that the programme will see Basotho who love watching films congregate in public spaces for the sole purpose of viewing and enjoying films.
He said through the initiative, workshops will also be conducted to improve skills in the film industry.
“Other challenge facing the industry is one of limited skills. In this regard the Maseru Film clubs will be hosting the film industry shake-up workshops in April 2021 featuring our facilitators who are specialists in their respective fields,” he added.
The clubs are expected to organise social events of film screenings, facilitate networking opportunities and invite film and television industry gurus to run workshops.
One of the people who has already joined the Maseru Film club is Khauhelo Lephema of Khubetsoana. Lephema who is one the people in the forefront of driving the film industry to greater heights has become one of the first to be part of the initiative.
Although he has always been part of the FSG Lesotho initiatives and activities since 2019, he said he wants to be part of any initiative to develop the industry.
“I set myself new goals to develop the film industry in Lesotho and put my country on the map internationally,” Lephema says.
