Online Reporter
Gift Moyo
[email protected]
HWANGE filmmaker and community development advocate Tallent Mashawi is set to bring the magic of cinema to underserved communities after being selected as one of the 2026 Seeds of Cinema Ambassadors.
Mashawi, who was recently announced as part of the cohort, plans to use a solar-powered mobile cinema to host free film screenings in and around Hwange, creating opportunities for education, dialogue and community engagement through film.
The Seeds of Cinema programme, run by Sunshine Cinema in partnership with GIZ Botswana, is designed to empower young leaders to use film as a tool for social change and community development. Each year, the programme selects ambassadors who are trained as Film Impact Facilitators and tasked with developing initiatives that expand the reach and influence of cinema within their communities.
For Mashawi, the selection presents an opportunity to combine his passion for film with his desire to drive positive change in Hwange.
“I’m super excited to be selected as a Seeds of Cinema ambassador because I have a film background from my time at university. This serves as an opportunity for me to bring change in my community through something that I am passionate about,” he said.
“Our duty as ambassadors is to represent Sunshine Cinema in our respective communities and spark conversations centred around film.”
As part of his role, Mashawi has already begun developing a solar-powered mobile cinema capable of hosting screenings in remote locations where access to traditional cinema facilities is limited or non-existent.
The initiative is aimed at breaking barriers to film access while promoting environmentally friendly solutions through the use of renewable energy.
“My plan is to engage local organisations and non-governmental organisations when conducting film screenings in my community. This is a great initiative because we are using solar energy, which promotes eco-friendly practices while ensuring screenings can take place no matter how remote the location is,” he said.
Mashawi believes film has the power to educate, inspire and encourage meaningful conversations around issues affecting communities.
“I understand the power of media and film, which is why I look forward to having meaningful conversations with community members, who are the most important stakeholders in this programme.
“My hope is to spark interest and plant seeds of change, especially in my community of Hwange, which is rich in wildlife, natural resources and untapped potential,” he said.
