There is a need for more Namibian stories in the film industry.

These were the sentiments of the chairperson of the Film Association of Namibia (FAN), Byron Joseph, during an interview with the nbc.

Joseph indicated that although the industry is active and growing, there is a need for more Namibian films.

As such, he called on aspiring filmmakers and those interested in joining the industry to seize opportunities and contribute to local storytelling.

"We need more Namibian stories. More Namibian stories mean more jobs for Namibians in production. This way, we contribute to job creation and preserve our cultural identity, which will also have a real economic impact."

He highlighted a shift toward making the film industry more profitable by focusing on Namibian narratives.

Reflecting on the industry's challenges, Joseph noted that the COVID-19 pandemic left the sector dysfunctional for a time, negatively impacting its growth.

Despite this, the industry has remained active, producing numerous projects such as the NFC web series, the Mbura project, and productions by Munjila Studios.

Despite obstacles, he emphasized the accessibility of opportunities through organizations like NBC, Multichoice, and One Africa, among others.

"We have a problem in Namibia where you cannot monetize content on platforms like YouTube. This is something our younger people are very interested in. For example, if you get a million viewers on your music video, why can't you earn from it? This is where our organization plays a crucial role, as we are pushing for the necessary registrations to allow monetization of social media and online content."

Joseph expressed excitement for 2025 as the industry steps further into local content creation.

He commended the government's ongoing support, which continues to sustain the sector's progress.