In March this year, we had the joy and privilege of premiering our latest feature documentary, Matabeleland, at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen. This is the first feature by Zimbabwean filmmaker Nyasha Kadandara a true labor of love, six years in the making, and a journey defined by passion and perseverance from everyone involved.
For us, as a Kenyan production company, witnessing Matabeleland come to life born from a partnership between Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Canada felt not just meaningful, but quietly revolutionary. It was a reminder of what’s possible when we work together across borders.
For us, as a Kenyan production company, witnessing Matabeleland come to life born from a partnership between Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Canada felt not just meaningful, but quietly revolutionary. It was a reminder of what’s possible when we work together across borders.
Budgets, Zooms, and Countless Conversations: The Work of Collaboration
So often, conversations about co-production get stuck on funding. Of course, money matters. But for many of us working in regions with limited national film funds or support, this focus can sometimes feel more like a wall than a bridge. It can limit which stories are told, who gets to tell them, and the possibilities we see for ourselves.
These barriers have been around for decades sometimes out of necessity, sometimes just out of habit. We’ve seen first-hand how cross-cultural collaborations can truly thrive not just because of financial support, but because of creative energy, shared experience, and a deep commitment to storytelling that honest, urgent and carries resonance.
When we expand what we value in our partnerships, giving space to creative input, perspective, and representation, alongside finance we invite more stories and layers of life.
So often, conversations about co-production get stuck on funding. Of course, money matters. But for many of us working in regions with limited national film funds or support, this focus can sometimes feel more like a wall than a bridge. It can limit which stories are told, who gets to tell them, and the possibilities we see for ourselves.
These barriers have been around for decades sometimes out of necessity, sometimes just out of habit. We’ve seen first-hand how cross-cultural collaborations can truly thrive not just because of financial support, but because of creative energy, shared experience, and a deep commitment to storytelling that honest, urgent and carries resonance.
When we expand what we value in our partnerships, giving space to creative input, perspective, and representation, alongside finance we invite more stories and layers of life.
The Lessons We’re Learning
And the best part? This isn’t a far-off dream it’s happening now.
We’re currently working hand-in-hand with filmmakers from East Africa, Jordan, Zambia, US, Canada, and the Netherlands on projects that elevate connection accross bounderies and bring stories with global resonance to the screen. Both in fiction and non-fiction, the stories combine both experience and new voices, as well as variety of genres and formarts. It's not been easy but we wake up everyday trying to figure things out. Massive shout out to these projects and the filmmakers involved.
We've picked up a few lessons we'd love to share. Please let us know if we've missed anything. We all need as much information as we can get!
We’re currently working hand-in-hand with filmmakers from East Africa, Jordan, Zambia, US, Canada, and the Netherlands on projects that elevate connection accross bounderies and bring stories with global resonance to the screen. Both in fiction and non-fiction, the stories combine both experience and new voices, as well as variety of genres and formarts. It's not been easy but we wake up everyday trying to figure things out. Massive shout out to these projects and the filmmakers involved.
We've picked up a few lessons we'd love to share. Please let us know if we've missed anything. We all need as much information as we can get!
- Strong communication is everything. Virtual meetings keep us going, but when we meet in person, even just once, it feeds the trust and creative magic. Never be afraid to repeat conversations for the sake of clarity and understanding.
- Time differences can be a pain—whether it's 6 AM Zoom calls or midnight pitches, we've experienced it all. However on both ends, these sacrifices are worthwhile as they introduce flexibility into our schedules. It's important to acknowledge each other's constraints and efforts, and to actively seek out more productive time slots that work for everyone.
- Cultural differences are gifts. They might seem challenging at first, but they’re a source of real strength and inspiration when we embrace them with curiosity. This could be the perspectives of the story or even approaches to budgeting or conversations. Learn each others way, it helps the team be more flexible.
- Shared values and honest storytelling light the way. Spend time early talking about your hopes and dreams for the project. It helps when the storms arrive. Yes! There will be many storms.
- Relationships matter most. Create a space where everyone feels safe and valued. Extend this to funders, audiences, and collaborators. Trust, kindness, and openness fuel creative risk and that’s where the best work comes from. This should be reflected on budgets and recognition.
- Believe in your own voice and share your blind spots. Everyone else can see them anyway!
- Stay flexible. Every partnership is a little different. That’s part of the adventure (and the challenge).
- Contracts count, but goodwill counts more. Let the paperwork protect you, but let shared purpose and mutual respect guide you.
- Money matters, a lot. Be honest and clear about resources and expectations from the very start. If things change a long the way, be open to the reality of the change. Whether your budget is big or small, creative resourcefulness and fairness are essential to turning vision into reality.
A Call to Keep Going
Every day brings new challenges and discoveries, and it remains an honor to navigate this journey together. We are eager to hear about your experiences and explore ways to enhance engagement and collaboration among us. Please feel free to reach out to us (hello@lbxafrica.com), we’d love to connect with you, no matter where you are. Who knows that the future brings.
As filmmakers from every corner of the world, we each bring something unique; funding, energy, perspective, lived experience. But what truly binds us is a shared vision, and a collective courage to dream.
We want to honor everyone who gives their all to ensure that the progress made, to give space for films such as Matabeleland out in the world, keeps growing.
Sometimes, it still feels like a dream. But to every filmmaker, financier, production company, festival, and audience member who keeps that dream alive: You are the reason we keep going. You are the proof that these dreams can and do become real.
And for that, we celebrate you.