FOUR high schools have been selected to advance to the next stage of the ESCCOM High School Short Film Competition, bringing them one step closer to winning the grand prize of E50 000.
The schools are Somnjalose under Hhohho, St John Bosco representing the Manzini region, Sisekelo in the Lubombo region and Mkhondvo High under Shiselweni. They stood out among 20 entries submitted from across the country.
The competition, organised by the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM), challenges pupils to create original one-minute films showcasing their storytelling and acting talents.
ESCCOM Broadcasting Specialist Mandisa Nkambule praised the high standard of entries and the creativity displayed by the young filmmakers.
“The quality of films we received was truly impressive. These four schools demonstrated exceptional creativity, strong storytelling and confident performances. We are waiting to see how they develop their skills in the next phase of the competition,” said Nkambule.
She revealed that the selection of finalists followed a thorough judging process involving ESCCOM staff members who evaluated each film using a clear and fair scoring system.
Nkambule explained that the judges assessed the films on several key areas, including story originality, structure, acting believability, emotional expression, camera comfort, overall impact and overall talent. Each criterion was scored from zero to five, with five being exceptional.
“We looked for films that told a clear and engaging story, with believable acting and emotional depth. It was important that the pupils showed confidence on camera and that their work left a lasting impression,” she said.
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She said the judging panel’s goal was to select the top-performing school from each of the four regions while maintaining transparency and fairness throughout the process.
Nkambule applauded the Lubombo region, which led in both the number of entries and overall scores, followed closely by Shiselweni. Schools from these regions showed strong storytelling and acting skills, with films that made a powerful emotional impact.
“In the Hhohho region, Somnjalose High School emerged as the strongest performer, excelling particularly in emotional impact and acting.
“St John Bosco High School topped the Manzini region with consistent scores across all judging categories, showing excellent production planning and execution.
“Sisekelo High led the Lubombo region with balanced strengths in story, acting and overall impact.
“Meanwhile, Mkhondvo High School dominated the Shiselweni region, standing out for its acting and overall talent,” she stated.
According to Nkambule, the four schools will attend a filmmaking master class scheduled for Saturday. The session will provide pupils with expert guidance on the filmmaking industry and help them decide on their roles for the next stage of the competition.
“The master class will be a great opportunity for the pupils to learn from industry professionals and prepare for producing their 10-minute films. We want to nurture their talent and give them the tools to succeed,” she said.
She added that the schools will work with film crews from Limkokwing University and the University of Eswatini, receiving a budget of E10 000 to produce their final films.
The competition will run until April, culminating in a film festival and awards ceremony.
“This competition is about encouraging young people to tell their stories and express themselves through film. We are proud to support these talented pupils and look forward to seeing their growth as filmmakers,” she said.
