Lesotho International Film Festival

Sesotho Media & Development (SM&D) is a non-governmental organization based in Maseru, Lesotho. It has evolved over the past 21 years – since 1999. SM&D was born out of a knowledge and understanding of Lesotho, its people and its history and a realization of the power of appropriate locally produced film and facilitated discussion to engage people in exploring and understanding themes, challenging and shifting attitudes and behaviours, and disseminating information in support of human rights. SM&D operates countrywide through battery powered mobile cinema units, giving the organisation the ability to reach rural and remote communities with facilitated film screenings and discussions. A team of trained youth facilitators led discussions with their peers, supported by external technical experts on the issues that are being addressed. SM&D has established partnerships with diverse organisations, including NGOs focusing on various Human Rights issues both locally and internationally. Networking and partnering with local organisations improves the organisation’s capacity to supply the growing demand for SM&D’s services across Lesotho. SM&D is audited every 6 months by an external auditing firm. Foreign partners have been very helpful in three particular domains: funding, capacity building of staff and offering platforms to network and exchange experiences with other organisations. Once a year, since 2011, SM&D organizes the Lesotho Film Festival to give a platform to young local filmmakers to use film as a tool to share authentic experiences on social, economic and cultural issues