Namibian film earns international nominations

A Locally produced film, ‘Life – Living in Faith Everyday’, is gaining international attention after securing two nominations at the Lift-Off Global Network Sessions, signalling growing recognition for Namibia’s film industry.

The 58-minute drama and romantic thriller, produced by Optimistic Media Group, has been nominated in the Feature Film Content and Audience Choice categories.

Shot in Windhoek and first released in 2024, the film explores themes of betrayal, resilience and gender-based violence (GBV).

Producer and co-writer Gustav Nuuyoma describes the nominations as a significant step forward for local filmmakers seeking international visibility.

“Being nominated twice is a massive milestone for us.

It validates the hard work we’ve put into the project and proves that Namibian stories can have universal appeal,” he says.

“It shows that we are no longer just local filmmakers – we are global competitors.”

The Lift-Off Global Network Sessions is based at Pinewood Studios and runs across multiple international cities, including London, Los Angeles and Tokyo, focusing on independent filmmakers and global talent development.

The film has also drawn strong local interest.

It screened at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) last week as part of Namibia Film Week, where audiences engaged with its themes during post-screening discussions.

“The response at Nust was incredibly moving. What stood out most was how many people said they would watch the movie again and again.

That kind of feedback tells us the message truly resonated,” Nuuyoma says.

At its core, the film follows Tomas, played by James Paulus, whose life unravels after discovering his partner’s infidelity. The narrative uses personal conflict to explore broader social issues affecting many Namibians.

Paulus says the role marked a departure from his usual casting and allowed him to demonstrate a broader range.

“People told me I’m good at what I do and encouraged me to keep going,” he says. “I’m often cast in gangster roles, but this performance proved that I can do more.”

Beyond its storyline, the film addresses GBV and emotional trauma, with the creators aiming to encourage reflection and dialogue.

“After the Film Week discussions, it became very clear that the themes of faith, perseverance, and relatability struck a chord.

Audiences love stories that are similar to their own real-life experiences,” Nuuyoma says.

The project has also received institutional backing.

Namibia Film Commission media officer Nicola Muranda says supporting the film aligns with efforts to strengthen the local industry.

“Our mandate is to develop and promote Namibian film locally and internationally.

Supporting projects like ‘Life’ allows us to nurture authentic storytelling and create platforms for local filmmakers,” she says.

She adds that the film’s international recognition highlights the importance of local platforms in building global pathways for Namibian creatives.

“It demonstrates how Namibian stories can move from local screens to global audiences when given the right support,” Muranda says.

The film features a local cast, including Monika ‘Top Cheri’ Pineas and Carter Hartz, and was directed by Blos Tshikesho, with a screenplay by Dalina Hamutenya.

As the nominations place the production on an international stage, its creators say the recognition reflects both the strength of the story and the growing reach of Namibia’s film sector.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.