Ayesha Khuele is an Award-Winning Filmmaker, Actress and a Youth Activist whose had a passion for story telling at a tender age of 10 years. We had a chat with her to get more insight on her inspiring journey and what it takes to succeed in the filmmaking industry:
Please take us through how you discovered your passion for film?
“My passion for film and acting started when I was 10 years old.At that time, I was still in Grade 5 at Kingsgate English Medium Primary School located in Mafeteng. I went to Kingsgate English Medium High School where I was able to join the school’s drama club and practice on my passion for acting. I played in a school show as Sarafina and I also embarked on different characters from being a nurse, a lawyer and a teacher. After High School, I went to pursue my dream.I enrolled for BA (Hons) in Digital Film and Television Production at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in August 2018. At Limkokwing University, I was appointed as a student ambassador following my continuous display of being a young leader that Lesotho will surely need in the future.”
Tell us about your work in detail and which films you’ve featured in:
“In November 2018, I starred in a student film titled Boikano. I also became an assistant producer in the Film Selialia (2018) a film by Thandie Lekalakala. In early 2019, I became lead character in The Title, a film by Kabelo Lerata and Tlenengtsa Tau a short film by Tumelo Mosito. I bear the role of writer director of Setepe (2019), an official selection of LEAWA (Learners Evaluation and Work Assessment) Film and Television Festival hosted by Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. I have also written and directed a film called It’s Time (2019). Furthermore, I wrote and directed Tormented which is an official selection of the 2021 Best Short film at Lesotho film festival.”
Which companies have you collaborated with?
“I worked under The Hub at Morija as a digital content creator and have done a couple of other projects such as being a voice over artist. I also work with UNICEF Lesotho and UNICEF-Brussels to advocate for children rights and create a better platform for youth to voice their opinions. I am the Ambassador of U-Report Lesotho and U-Report Global and work with MISA Lesotho through my advocacy. I also directed an advert for Lesotho Red Cross Society and shot their Covid-19 documentary. I shot and acted in five (5) jingles for Lesotho Network of People living with HIV/AIDS (LENEPWHA). Earlier this year, I worked for Mint-Photography as a Digital content creator.”
What are the highlights of you journey so far?
At 19 years of age, I became a Five Time International Film Nominee for my short Film Molisana which I backed the writer and director role. Molisana was nominated 6 times with nominations from The Lesotho Film Festival. This is where it received a certificate of appreciation, Waco Family and Faith International Film Festival (USA), Moinho Cine Fest (Portugal) Lift-off Global Network Sessions (England UK) The BeBop Channel Content Festival (USA) and First Time Filmmaker Sessions (New York).
I have advocated for youth inclusion in decision-making processes and was one of the seven (7) U-Report Ambassadors from Africa and Europe who went to represent their countries at the AU-EU summit 2022 in Belgium Brussels.Here my main focus and concerns were on transforming Education and combating climatechange. Myfilm“Tormented’’ was selected to have its own virtual booth at the summit on the culture event and I was the host.
With my good representation at the AU-EU summit, I received a special invitation from the office of the Prime Minister to attend the 3rd APRM continental Youth Symposium in Uganda.
Furthermore, I received an Award for Best Upcoming Filmmaker from Women Empowerment Code and was labelled the Young Film Industry revolutionist from Motion Pictures Association of Lesotho (MPALE).
