04/08/2026
Film Garden Founder’s Speech at the Dream Factory Foundation Film Workshop Graduation Ceremony in Francistown. Hosted by Samuel from Germany 🇩🇪
How many movies do we produce in Botswana in a year?
Do we even produce a single feature film every year?
Why not?
Because many of us are waiting for the government to create opportunities for us.
Hollywood is not a government. It is a film industry that was built by filmmakers.
Nollywood is not a government. It was built by filmmakers.
So, as Botswana filmmakers, what have we built?
There is a Setswana saying: "letsama le thata ka monnga lone." It reminds us that responsibility begins with us.
Why do we expect the government to build our industry when we, as filmmakers, have the power to build it ourselves?
My name is Keoagile Tshepo Tshekiso, founder of Film Garden, which I established in 2015.
The reason I started Film Garden is because I wanted to become the change I wanted to see in Botswana's film industry.
Today, I want to ask every graduate here
What change do you want to see in Botswana's film industry?
Don't wait for someone else to create it. Start a company. Start a business. Start an organization. Build something that solves a problem. Be the change you want to see.
The change I wanted to create was skills development.
In Botswana, there was no place where talented people could go to learn acting and scriptwriting, receive mentorship, find support, and pursue their filmmaking dreams.
That is why Film Garden was created.
Today, Film Garden offers acting classes that have helped many aspiring actors begin their careers.
In 2019, we launched Acting Tribe, our acting agency, to focus on the business side of acting.
For years, Botswana actors complained that productions were happening in the country, yet they were not being given opportunities.
But I realized there was another problem.
Producers were also struggling to find actors.
For example, filmmaker Samuel🇩🇪 struggled to cast actors for one of his productions because there was no central platform where he could access Botswana talent.
Once he contacted me, he found the actors he needed.
Why?
Because an acting agency makes that process simple.
With one phone call, productions can access a pool of trained actors.
That is the purpose of Acting Tribe to make it easier for productions to discover and hire Botswana talent.
One thing about me is this:
If I don't get an opportunity, I don't just complain.
I research.
I learn.
I build.
I create my own opportunities.
Today, our acting program has trained more than 100 actors.
One of our actresses is currently appearing as Palesa on the Showmax series Youngins. Others have worked with Mzansi Magic, FNB, BTC, SPAR, and many other productions and brands.
Because of our acting agency, many actors have been able to earn an income even during times when very few local films are being produced.
We also offer scriptwriting classes because we want to see more Botswana films being made.
Our goal is to help scriptwriters develop their stories, produce their own films, establish production companies, and learn how to sell their work.
Today, social media and technology have changed everything.
We no longer have to wait for someone to open a door for us.
We can build our own audiences.We can release our films online.
We can sell directly to our fans.
We can use social media to market our stories, not only in Botswana but across Africa and the world.
I have seen filmmakers upload short films to YouTube, and those films have opened doors to Netflix opportunities and investments from major studios that later financed feature films.
Every successful film industry started because filmmakers decided to create instead of waiting.
Botswana's film industry will not be built by waiting.
It will be built by filmmakers who take action.
To all of today's graduates, remember this:
Don't wait for the perfect opportunity.
Create it.
Don't wait for someone to believe in your dream.
Build it.
Don't wait for the industry to change.
Be the change.
I would like to conclude with the Setswana saying:"Letsama le thata ka monnga lone."
Batswana, let us take responsibility for developing our own film industry.
Let us build the opportunities we wish existed.
Let us support one another.
Let us tell our own stories.
And above all, let us become the change we want to see.
Congratulations to all our graduates, and I cannot wait to see the industry you will build.
