Kitsong Writer Tells a Tale

By: Kitsong Learner Kagiso

BEING A PART OF THE FILM FESTIVAL WAS REALLY FASCINATING AND AMAZING.  THE EXPERIENCES THAT I HAD WERE WORKING UNDER PRESSURE.  I REALISED THE FACT THAT I CAN WORK UNDER PRESSURE.  WRITING A SCRIPT WITH STAGE DIRECTION AND THE EMOTIONS FOR EACH SCENE IS NOT EASY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS IN A SHORT SPACE OF TIME.  HOWEVER, IT ALL WORKED OUT VERY WELL.  I ALSO REALISED THE FACT THAT HARD-WORK REALLY PAYS OFF.  FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I SAW MYSELF MULTITASKING IN BOTH MY SCHOOL WORK AND THE FILM FESTIVAL. MY AIM IN DOING THAT WAS TO PRODUCE A 100% HARD-WORK IN BOTH MY ACADEMICS AND THE FILM.

THE FILM FESTIVAL ALSO GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN A GROUP, AND TO  ACTUALLY BE IN THE DRIVING POSITION. THAT PUSHED ME TO ALWAYS PITCH UP ON TIME, TO WORK ON MY PRIORITIES FIRST, TO BE A GREAT AND A HARD WORKING LEADER. I ALSO NOTICED THE FACT THAT EVERYBODY'S OPINION MATTERS.

ME BEING IN THE FILM MADE ME REALISE THAT FILMS ARE NOT JUST FOR ENTERTAINMENT.  FILMS ARE A WAY OF GIVING THE AUDIENCE A MESSAGE, AND THAT IS HOW WE WROTE THE FILM.  WE WANTED TO ENTERTAIN THE AUDIENCE, MAKE THEM LAUGH, GET THEM TO SYMPATHISE WITH THE ACTORS, AND GET THEM TO BE EMOTIONAL. WHILE, STILL ENJOYING THE FILM, AND ACTUALLY LEARNING SOMETHING FROM ALL OF THAT ENTERTAINMENT.

THEREFORE, I REALLY ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF WORKING IN THE FILM AND BEING PART OF THE FESTIVAL.  IF I'M GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE AT DOING IT AGAIN, I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT THINK TWICE ABOUT AGREEING.

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Be sure to check out the films from IAWA's Youth Film Festival:

  • Nyariuana (IAWA): A look into the causes and effects of youth using nyaope.

  • I Have Something to Tell You (Kitsong): A young man struggles to come to terms with his identity. He goes on a rollercoaster of a journey leading to his self-discovery.

  • The Test (Bafokeng Youth Centre): A short film about HIV testing.

  • The Circle (Bafokeng Youth Centre, IAWA, and Poppyn): A Cross-continental conversation between youth in South Africa and the United States of America, dissecting their myths, stereotypes, and perceptions.

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