According to the producer of Mainane Studios, Tricia Sello, the film got an award at the NEFTi All-Stars entry where it won the Best Film and Audience Choice awards at Durban FilmMart 2024. Sello explained that the film’s story line was back with a twist. Baratani is a story about a young couple that decided to go against the societal expectations and pursued their love for each other. They were said to have fled to Lentswe la Baratani hills where they disappeared and were never seen again. "In a remote village in Botswana, a young man fights to persuade the woman he loves to run away with him on the day of her marriage.
It has always been important for us at Mainane Studios to tell stories that reflect who we are as Batswana, and it is an exciting privilege to tell the stories we grew up on, share them with the world and receive such positive feedback from home and prominent industry executives like Vivica A. Fox (Hollywood Actress), Bruce Cohen (Oscar-winning producer), and Ted Gagliano (President of Feature Post Production, 20th Century Fox/Walt Disney Company). It is a testament to the importance of telling our stories, and proof that the world is ready for stories from Botswana," she said proudly. She further explained that when Moreetsi Gabang, the writer and director of BARATANI (The Hill of Lovers) shared his vision, she was immediately captivated. She added that she knew they were going to tell a Setswana story as their cultures were so diverse, and they did not want the creative liberties they took to be offensive to any tribe. However, she said their greatest challenge was navigating that space.
She further explained that they had done a lot of research on different tribes and their customs to make sure that they represented their culture well. Sello also explained that with NEFTi competitions they had to work within certain monetary and time constraints. She said they had US$3, 000 and 30 days to develop the story, go through a couple of drafts of the script, do pre-production, production, and post production. She added that there was a lot happening at once, but they had an amazing team that was very supportive and handled all the challenges that came their way as a team. She also said the film was well received at the screening during Durban FilmMart, and voters from Botswana sent positive feedback after watching it. "The 2024 edition of NEFTi brought the winners of the past editions. Representing Botswana, Mainane Studios’ Gabang was up against three other winners; Nahom Abraham (Ethiopia), Minenhle Luthuli (South Africa), and Cheyi Okoaye (Nigeria).
NEFTi is a highly competitive short film competition by Austrian vodka brand NEFT and the International Emerging Film Talents Association (IEFTA), in sponsorship with Durban FilmMart, Panavision, and Panalux. Unlike the traditional NEFTi competition, the All Stars were challenged to create their films from the same log line, and they each had to draw the genre randomly." "Even though they were already selected, the filmmakers still had to pitch their concepts to the NEFTi panel of judges, including acclaimed Hollywood producer and actress Vivica A. Fox, Academy and Tony Award-winning producer Bruce Cohen, and President of Post Production at 21st Century Fox/Disney, Ted Gagliano. Having picked romance, Gabang, pitched BARATANI (The Hill of Lovers), a romantic film based on the Lentswe la Baratani folktale. The romantic film, produced by myself and was up for the NEFTi All Stars Competition Best Film main prize and Audience Choice award.
BARATANI (The Hill of Lovers) secured both prizes, making Moreetsi and Mainane Studios the only contestants to secure both NEFTi prizes twice in a row," she added. Furthermore, she explained that the team at Mainane Studios would like to give a special appreciation to Paul Robinson, Marco Orsini and Zunaid Mansoor for their support, NEFT Vodka, NEFTi Competition, IEFTA, Panavision and Panalux for creating that platform. She also thanked their cast; Tshepie Olds, Bernard Morapedi, Mme Gaolape 'Ausi G' Basuhi, Dr Leloba Molema, Omphile Mabine, Warona I. Mmopelwa, Jethro ‘Umaga’ Ndebele, Special Ramatudung, Elias Jaudi, and Keoabile Molefhe, with the support of Nelly Pule and Sikwane community, Victoria Massey and the Bahurutshe Cultural Village community, as well as the Gabane youth and Mafitlhakgosi Dance Troupe. She added that their crew included executive producer Kabelo "K-Bos" Motlhatlhedi, line producer Frank Oteng, first Assistant Director Ellen Phooko, director of photography Motheo Mphahlele, lighting designer, Thomas Klopffer assisted by Atang Prince Molefe, Focus Puller Mana Seboni, and others.
