Local filmmaker set to boost industry
Passion for movies … Ernest Moikangoa and Motlatsi Mofokeng from who wants to become a world-class filmmaker.
Motlatsi Mofokeng (22) from Bethlehem is passionate about making films. In fact, he is determined to become an internationally acclaimed director. Mofokeng’s interest in film started at an early age. He would write school plays and short stories. He performed very well academically, and with his impressive matric results, he received a bursary from the Free State Department of Education. However, he was told that the department does not fund filmmaking and he was referred to the Department of Arts and Culture. It was there where he approached the chairperson of the Free State Youth Arts Council, Ernest Moikangoa, who assisted him with securing a bursary from the premier’s Hlasela Fund.
“I found out about him from Sputla Sebogodi who told me about this young filmmaker that was really passionate and hungry for success. We noticed how serious he was about filmmaking and had to intervene,” Moikangoa said.
Mofokeng enrolled for a Bachelor’s Degree in Motion Pictures at one of the best film schools on the continent, AFDA, in 2009. There he studied visual effects, script writing, directing, and editing.
While studying, Mofokeng participated in a number of projects that challenged him and helped him refine his skills. In his second year, he designed the title and special effects for an animation called Silhouetted Wing for which he won an award. He also designed the sequence and title for Crack It Open which won another award and was bought by Soweto TV.
Mofokeng’s Borderline Movement teaches young people about opportunities in filmmaking in high schools, grooming them through telling them his own experiences as a young filmmaker.
“Studying at AFDA was challenging at first as I was studying with students from different backgrounds than myself but through passion and commitment I managed to excel. I realised that there are a lot of young people who wish to do what I am doing and I wanted to share my experience with them so as to make it easier for them,” said Mofokeng.
Last year his group was chosen as one the seven groups worldwide by search engine Google for their work on educating young people about filmmaking. They were flown to London for the official prizegiving.
Mofokeng completed his studies last year and is ready to take on the world of filmmaking.
According to him, he will be working as an editor and graphic designer for Hlasela TV this year.
Mofokeng plans on going abroad next year to complete his Honour’s and Master’s Degree in the US.
He said he wants to thank Premier Ace Magashule for the opportunity to study filmmaking.
“My ultimate dream is to own my production company where I will be producing local documentaries and movies highlighting important issues in the country.”
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