Interview With Young Film Maker Nigel Ndlovu

Nigel Ndlovu is a young creative who at only 23 years old has co-produced a small film in Zimbabwe and manages an online platform called Urban Culture all this and in his final year doing media studies at Zimbabwe Open University.

We spoke to him about how he juggles it all and this is what he had to say.

Q: Who is Nigel Ndlovu, how would you best describe yourself?

A: Nigel Ndlovu is a God fearing young man aged 23 who is highly creative and has a deep passion for the arts and the media. Polite, humble gentle man who loves people. He is a part four B.A media student with the Zimbabwe Open University.

Q: What are you passionate about and how do you wish to you use that to change your community?

A: Well I am passionate about the arts, media and film-making. I wish to use my skills by telling real amazing Zimbabwean stories, teaching those who want to venture into film-making and the media world my skills and in the future heading a huge media outlet which will employ hundreds if not thousands in Zimbabwe.

Q: How did the opportunity to showcase at ZIFFT come about and how can other young people with the same passion get the same opportunity?

A: I am a strong believer of creating your own opportunities; one can create his or her own opportunities, so I am always seeking for opportunities everywhere, these days I ensure that my wallet has at least a dollar for airtime just for me to go online and seek for life changing opportunities. The ZIFFT opportunity, I saw it on the internet on Facebook, Culture Fund page then I applied. I applied last year but I got the call this year. I have been writing scripts since I was 16, so I sent them a script I wrote in 2013 and they loved it.For the other young people with same passion, I encourage them to surf the internet and browse for film making opportunities there are countless on the web.

Q: Having co-directed a film, what inspired the story-line and the concept?

A: Ambition and the vision of financial freedom inspired the story.

Q: When writing a script do you always have young people in mind?

A: Well for me every second of mine rotates in creativity so I write about what inspires me in the moment.

Q: What are some of the challenges you faced whilst filming and as a young director in the industry?

A: Well the major challenge was working with my role models, people I grew up watching on television and people grew up reading about, the pressure to perform was heavy on me.Overall it was a once in a life time opportunity, I enjoyed the whole process and increased my sphere of influence.

Q: If you could, what would you change about the film/media industry in Zimbabwe?

A: I would setup film commission and the set up world class film school in Zimbabwe.

Q: Tell us more about Urban culture, what do you wish to achieve with the platform?

A: Urban Culxure is an online entertainment magazine that has a mandate to inform people on all entertainment and cultural events in Zimbabwe. The magazine was formed in May 2014 .The magazine covers stories and events to do with music, film, theatre, modelling, fashion and sport in Zimbabwe. The magazine also gives sneak previews of upcoming shows and events in the show buzz. This year we are privileged to be the online partner for #Intwasa2015 Arts Festival Ko Bulawayo, one of the biggest festivals in Zimbabwe. Our target demographic is technologically savvy youth and young people who constitute the highest number in Zimbabwe; we hope to turn this whole initiative into a full fleshed media enterprise, we are still setting up structures and looking for capital.

Q: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

A: I see myself leading a young vibrant media outlet with several media accolades hanged on the wall and somehow changing the plight of my fellow Zimbos with my skills.

Q: How do you balance school and everything you’re involved with?

A: I pray, then learn and do what I love to do. I also avoid distractions when it’s time to get down to business.

Q: What’s your advice to the Zimbabwean youth?

A: Stop complaining and find solutions, google constructive things one the World Wide Web, be who you want to be and look into a brighter and prosperous Zimbabwe. Above all love God and learn read, and write.

Q: What do you to relax, if you do?

A: I love the outdoors, wildlife, camping, traveling and just staring at the sunset and stars at night. Oh as a filmmaker I also spend my time watching a lot of motion pictures. On a good summer day you might catch me swimming in a public pool or playing cricket for one of the cricket clubs in my city.

Q: Where can people reach you?

A: My mobile number is +263733551903 it’s also on WhatsApp,

Facebook name is Nigel Ndlovu,

Twitter my handle is @nigelndlovu.

The website is www. Urbanculxure.com on Facebook its Urban Culxure Magazine, twitter is @culxuremagzim feel free to contact me and catchup with my latest works and projects.