MultiChoice Namibia grows local content slate with further series, film and documentary commissions as Ombura-project enters second phase

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Namibia is growing its local content slate under the project's "Ombura-named umbrella with further new series, film and documentary commissions.

So far, 19 films, a lifestyle series and a documentary have been produced for DStv, GOtv and MultiChoice's streamer Showmax. 

In September 2024, MultiChoice Namibia also started and held its first MultiChoice Film Festival in Namibia to showcase new local content and to provide local filmmakers a place to meet, interact and have conversations.

The Ombura-project which is entering its second phase, is part of MultiChoice Namibia's effort to expand its slate of local content and Namibian stories.

The lifestyle coming series Op Pad Met My Potjie which was seen recently on kykNET (DStv 144) with presenter Joalette de Villiers travelling throughout Namibia, has been renewed for a second season.

Bora Box which will premiere on Channel O, is a new music request show showcasing Namibian music and artists.

Crossover Hearts is a new romantic film directed by MultiChoice Talent Factory alum Lucia Kim Hamunghete which follows a young couple from different cultures battling prejudices and family expectations.

Desert Film's The Long Road details the life of a struggling factory worker who has been abandoned by his pregnant wife and attempts to redeem himself, while Oppiplaas is a romantic drama about a city girl launching a social media business and who then reluctantly takes on a struggling farmer as a client.

The Afrikaans environmental magazine show Groen Namibië has been renewed for another season on kykNET.

Then there is also the feature film My F*k, Marelize, also produced by kykNET Films and inspired by a viral video from Namibia, which will be shown on kykNET.

Another documentary will also be produced.

"This year, we continue our commitment to hyperlocal storytelling with productions that reflect the culture, language, and realities of our audiences," says Rogert Gertze, MultiChoice Namibia managing director.

"Beyond storytelling, we are actively investing in the future of African film and television by training, funding, and supporting the next generation of local talent because when Africa tells its own stories, the world listens."

Esther Beukes, Namibian Film Commission chairperson, says "On behalf of the Namibia Film Commission, a huge thank you to MultiChoice Namibia, and this phenomenal team. Your investment in our industry isn't just about making TV, it's about making history."

ALSO READ: Inside MultiChoice's push to expand Namibia's kykNET content

ALSO READ: MultiChoice Namibia to host inaugural MultiChoice Film Festival 2024 with panel sessions and content screenings

M-Net looking to produce a new range of new local South African films in all languages and genres; calling on filmmakers to submit their original ideas.

M-Net is looking to produce a range of new local South African films in all languages and is calling in South African filmmakers to submit their original ideas for contemporary stories in various genres.

In the past three years, M-Net that is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month, has backed more than 40 theatrical feature films under the M-Net Movies, Mzansi Magic and kykNET Films banners, including Happiness is a Four Letter Word and Vir Altyd.

"Movies have been the heartbeat of our business right from the start," says Yolisa Phahle, M-Net CEO.

"Through the years we committed ourselves to develop and boost our own film industry - first with initiatives like the New Directions and EDiT short films project and more recently by supporting an increasing number of authentic local feature films - both financially and creatively."

"We are incredibly proud of the slate of films linked to our stable and it's encouraging to know that plenty of these beautifully made movies have been the work of first-time directors or screenwriters," says Yolisa Phahle.

"In our quest to continue to add value to the local film landscape, we identified some gaps. Hence the decision to give local movie makers another opportunity to pitch their ideas for great new films."

"This is a fantastic opportunity for new filmmakers to break into the industry or for veterans to get the green light for their next big film."

M-Net is now specifically looking for feature films in certain comedy and action sub-genres, as well as films based on successful vernacular novels that can be adapted for cinema.

kykNET Films is also planning to create and develop a Cape-based romantic comedy or family saga in Afri-kaaps.

In the action genre M-Net is inviting proposals for suspense thrillers and adventure stories.

No matter what the genre is, the stories should be authentically South African, reflecting the country's current reality and be void of sensationalism and cultural stereotypes.

M-Net also wants to see pitches that demonstrate a keen understanding of the specific film genre and the music should be reflective of the story and include as many relevant South African music tracks as possible.

The closing date for submissions is Monday 14 November 2016 and must be done through M-Net's corporate website here

BREAKING. MultiChoice adding a 3rd pop-up channel for December, The Good Life Network from Ochre Media, focusing on health and fitness.

Besides kykNET Films and kids channel HOOLEE, MultiChoice will run a third pop-up channel from December called The Good Life Network, a health channel produced by Ochre Media and the department of health.

The Good Life Network will run on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform from 1 December until 31 March 2016. The channel will be a precursor to a permanent South African fitness and health channel from another media house that will be added in 2016 to DStv, according to insiders.

The Good Life Network will bring viewers programming related to nutrition, health and fitness, human rights, youth sexuality, diseases like HIV and TB, as well as gender and consumer rights.

The channel is "a call to action for all South Africans to make small changes in their lives to live a healthier live," says Lebo Ramafoko, the CEO of the Soul City brand, which is running the pop-up channel over the holiday period in conjunction with Ochre Media.

The Good Life Network programming will include shows like Health Busters (breaking down myths), Food Police (helping you design healthier meals), SuperDoc (critical women's health issues), Village Shrink (mental health), Cook for Life (African meals), Get Up Stand Up (celebrating

those making a difference), Fit Life (inspired fitness outside the gym), Health Bulletins (citizen

journalism), Straight Up (youth sexuality) and Icheke (check your health).

"In keeping with the successful edutainment model, The Good Life Network will service a

consumer appetite for entertaining health related content and services," says Krisen Pather, the head of edutainment programming for Ochre Media.

The Good Life Network will be available on DStv Premium, DStv Extra, DStv Compact, DStv Family and DStv Access on channel 199.

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Editor: While MultiChoice calls it The Good Life Network, Ochre Media's the logo clearly has the channel's name as The GoodLife Network. There is no indication of which is right, the channel and platform operator didn't bother to check this detail.