How Lottery Love is elevating KZN's film industry: Insights from producer Jacintha de Nobrega
Film maker Jacinta de Nobrega
Image: Supplied
Lottery Love, the film produced by Jacintha de Nobrega has been nominated in the Best Screenplay and Best Production Design categories in the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards set to take place on July 19
Reacting to the nominations, de Nobrega said, “It’s an honour to be recognised in the province I live in”.
Funded by KwaZulu-Natal Film Fund (KZNTAFA), Lottery Love has won international accolades and has elevated the profile of KZN’s film industry on local and global stages.
de Nobrega's film opened the KwaMashu Film Festival and premiered at the London International Pan African Film Festival, where it earned the award for Best Director. Then came another accolade: it was named the Best Feature at the Hollywood African Cinema Connection.
Shot predominantly in isiZulu and set in KwaMashu, the film provides an authentic portrayal of life in KZN.
For de Nobrega, KZNTAFA’s support was pivotal. It allowed her to focus fully on the creative and production aspects of her film without financial strain and elevated the production quality and reach of the film.
Lottery Love has won international accolades and has elevated the profile of KZN’s film industry on local and global stages.
Image: Supplied
“It’s simple. Without the funding, we would not have been able to go into production. The secured funding enabled us to complete principal photography and post-production efficiently, while maintaining a high standard,” she said.
de Nobrega's production model is intentionally community-oriented. She hires local crew, develops young talent and works with creatives from within the communities she represents.
“Our creative team is drawn from the very areas where the story is set. It’s how we ensure authentic representation, and how we give back by creating jobs and upskilling the next generation of filmmakers, particularly young people of colour and women,” she said.
de Nobrega was currently developing a new KZN-based story that again reflects the province’s unique culture and people, with a clear objective: to drive job creation, spark creativity, and contribute to the local economy.
She was also in talks with SABC and e-Vod for local distribution, while engaging a UK distributor for international reach.
Her message to aspiring filmmakers is to: “Have a strong script and collaborate with people who share your vision.”