Local comedy opens casting call for actors, investors

A new Namibian feature film, ‘African Relativity’, is calling on local actors and investors to come on board as it prepares for production. The film has more than 30 speaking roles available across diverse age groups and backgrounds.

The comedy, written and directed by Florian Schott and Ndinomholo Ndilula, is set in Katutura and follows a multi-character storyline unfolding over a single day. Described as a ‘mind-bending comedy’ exploring love, culture and time travel, the film aims to present a fresh perspective on township life.

Schott says the project has been in development for several years, driven by a desire to create opportunities for local performers. “Our idea is to attract as many Namibian actors as possible to work with, and we thought of a multi-character narrative that combines several stories into one single film,” he says.

He adds that the inclusion of time travel elements allows the film to explore broader themes of human connection. “It worked well with what we really wanted to talk about, and that is how we are connected to the people around us and how we influence people,” Schott says.

While the film centres on humour, the production aims to reflect social realities without becoming overly didactic.

“We also wanted to talk about social issues within Namibian society, but not in a preachy manner. We want people to laugh at characters that they recognise from their own lives,” he adds.

According to Schott, relatability is central to the storytelling approach. “There are instances where people may laugh at what one of the characters is saying, yet they realise that they have said the same thing,” he says, emphasising the importance of grounded, authentic character portrayal.

Casting remains a key priority as the production moves forward.

“We are still on the lookout for experienced and new talent. Anyone interested in joining our production team is encouraged to reach out to us and include their details, such as a photo and a short introduction about themselves, by the end of March,” Schott says.

Despite progress in planning, funding remains a significant hurdle. The production team is exploring both public and private financing options to support what they hope will be a fully local project.

“We would like to make this film with a completely Namibian cast and crew, so our aim is to get as much funding as possible from within the country,” Schott says.

He adds that efforts are underway to secure partners. “We’ve also put together a very good business plan to attract funding partners,” he says.

Submissions and enquiries can be sent to african.relativity@gmail.com or via WhatsApp before 31 March.

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