LOCALLY-made film - The Curse, won the best accolade in the Lesotho films category during the launch of the King Moshoeshoe Film Festival in Maseru last Saturday.

The Curse was among 39 films submitted from across Africa, seven of which were made in Lesotho.

The film competed against others like Blood over Riches and Nthatisi in categories of best actress, best actor, best picture/cinematographer, best director, best feature film, best Lesotho film, and best screenplay.

The Curse is a local horror film about a young man who catches a spell that was cast upon a lawyer who previously inhabited his apartment.

The lawyer’s demon haunts the young man until he finds himself in a spiritual war to reclaim his normal life.

The film was written and directed by Khauhelo Lephema, and produced by Palesa Motšoeneng.

Some of the main characters in the film include top local actors such as Ntsiki Mahanetsa, Khetsi Rapita, and Selikane Taole.

“The main reason I made this film was to do something that has never been done in Lesotho by Basotho, something completely new,” says Lephema.

“I wanted to become living proof that Basotho filmmakers are capable of making films of more complicated genres as opposed to stereotypically making “drama” and “comedy” all the time. So I chose a blend of horror for a change and decided to do The Curse.”

Lephema further says:  “Honestly speaking, I expected to win something, not necessarily with The Curse. I submitted three short films, and so I was betting on three.”

Lephema says his accolade has set a bar higher on his status as a filmmaker.

“The victory has set a bar higher on my status as a filmmaker because I got the privilege of sharing the platform with legendary international filmmakers and actors that I was celebrated alongside.

“They got to witness the existence of a young enthusiastic filmmaker, myself winning the best film award, and this means an upgrade on my status as a filmmaker internationally.”