‘Ntanga’ Hits a Pinnacle at NEWF 2025
- eve
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Our Film 'Ntanga' Took Us To South Africa
As the NEWF new fellows, we got the chance to attend the congress and summit this 2025 in South Africa. It was an amazing journey; a couple of flights and some breathtaking views along the way to Durban. In awe with the wonderful scenic surroundings of the venue, we had to blend with diversity of the many countries that were present at the congress. We were glad to be part of the community as it was our first time being there, thanks to the cinematography and storytelling lab we did at the peak of 2024 with our beautiful and amazing mentors; Elke, Samira, Thuku and Carlos. Meeting all of them there was a dream come true, a genuine reunion since The Bahari Yetu Festival 2024, and a blessing!
Inspiring Workshops
The workshops were so engaging and inspirational. The speakers were wholesome, skillful and had a lot to offer at the 2hrs sessions. We got to learn, draft, execute and enjoy from the summit. The narrative is really changed.
Ma'm Gcina Mhlope ‘Batome’ Night
This woman’s aura really pushed us to sing with her at the same frequency of love, bond and power. She really blessed us with her storytelling ability. Her song ‘Batome’ really gave us goosebumps. She deserved that standing ovation, her name so hard to click to mention really will always be in our hearts. The articulation, the dress code, the brightest smile and the whole story of the young boy who brought back the supernatural bull, all that really touched our lives. She is creative and we couldn’t ask for more than a storyteller like her. That night we all left with the same hymnal of ‘batome! Batome!’
Our Mentor, A Role Model! Samira Vera-Cruz
Our mentor, Samira vera Cruz got to win a grant for her film which was an inspirational to watch. She defines power, love, passion and resilience for a woman like her in this community. Her contagious smile, always complimenting and her humor really made her to stand out. To have such a mentor is really such a great thing and to see her win really touched us beyond our sensations.
Ntanga On Screens
People from different countries got to watch ‘Ntanga’ at the Kenyan-themed night. We, the fellows, had to step up with our amazing leader and mentor Elke, to share our experience on the production and the lab that we did last year. Eve, our scriptwriter led us with the introductions, talked a little about the process and shared how competent we were to finish the work just with only five days of the cinematography and storytelling lab. The director, Shanga shared his thoughts too, adding that our film got selected to Lampart Film Festival in Kenya, which I had attended, and that it got a prize of special mention. The rest of the team felt proud standing next to each other again with their work projected on screen. What a night!
Blessings From Alaska
The drums, the wheezing vibe of this man really penetrated to our nerves. The prayers, the letter he read, allowed us to hear the native accent of Alaska. He blessed all the first NEWF fellows ever, the leaders and the whole community at large.
Watching Greater Films
Carlos, who is one of our mentors, premiered their film Wild Hope Rhino Ops at the barnyard theatre and it left us with the thought of ‘rhinos really need to be protected as they are almost going extinct’. The wardens' speeches were really impressive and wholesome and the production team shared their views on how the process meant to them.
When I shoot I don't shoot with my head I shoot with my heart. - Carlos Noronha
The Farewell Night
A vibrant, elegant and brilliant way to end the night was by beating the west African drums. Our hands really hurt from the vigor, power and energetic vibe we connected with the band to produce an unmatched ground shaking song. I’m still in awe with the chemistry we had yet we hadn’t even practiced the songs nor rehearsed the way to put our palms on the drums. The narrative is really changed.
Written by Amani Karisa
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