Pop-Up Cinema has been mentoring, consulting, teaching and providing equipment to a number of entrepreneurs as they find their legs and grow their business in this exciting industry all across Africa for over a decade. They have all in their own way dedicated their energy to the idea of “bringing film to the people” and like us genuinely focus on Africa and our mission to develop pop-up cinema in Africa. Some use their screens to bring “Edutainment” to underserved areas in their communities while others entertain filmgoers in various exotic locations.
Enchor Cinema engages students in the meaningful examination of human rights, poverty and hunger, environmental issues, global health, gender roles, personal governance through their unique approach to edutainment. The intention to “transform entertainment media into educational media by designing educational resources for teachers to accompany carefully chosen feature films and documentaries” became a reality in 2019 with the purchase of their pop-up cinema screen. “I was amazed at how compact our medium inflatable pop-up cinema package was. Everything, including the frame, screen, speakers, projector, could fit into the back of our SUV! Pop-Up Cinema’s knowledge and training went over and beyond my expectations and they continue to give support.”
Read our SPOTLIGHT: Enchor Cinema Pioneering EDUtainment for Youth in Rural South Africa
We are so excited to see VUMA POP-UP CINEMA reaching their community in Kaye, Cape Town, South Africa. We met Buhle Sithela (owner of VUMA) in 2014 when he answered an ad we sent out looking for people we could train to set up our screens and run the drive-in cinema’s events in Cape Town. Buhle’s story is a true testament to the power of cinema at work. Buhle saw the potential of the pop-up cinema experience and grabbed the opportunity to take what he had learned and be the first person to bring cinema to Khayelitsha, a township in South Africa. Buhle has his own cinema set-up and uses his equipment and skills to entertain as well as educate. Buhle is a role model for the next generation and we are so proud of what he has achieved.
Cinema People does the utmost to change the way people approach cinema in Zimbabwe – by creating an indulging, immersive cinematic experience for its clientele. With our vision and creativity, we hope to inspire a ripple effect throughout the industry! From Outdoor to Indoor to our newest Drive-in, we have comprehensively been setting the motion for movie-goers. “The accessibility and affordability of Pop-Up Cinema Packages allowed me to turn my dream into a successful and sustainable income. Pop-Up Cinema went over and beyond my expectations especially with their ongoing support and consideration!”
Read our SPOTLIGHT: Prayer Soul Kick-starts the Pop-Up Cinema Movement in Zimbabwe
Las Estrellas Creations was born out of the need to give youth a place to see cinema and the desire to create employment. Not only is it an Outdoor Pop-Up Cinema in the northern region of Botswana but they offer cinema equipment to rent. The only cinema in Botswana is a five-hour bus ride from Francistown and so it was obvious to bring the film to the people if the people can’t get to the cinema. “The Pop-Up Cinema Team went out of their way to make me an offer I could not refuse. They had everything I needed to start my business and at a very reasonable price. Even after buying from them they still kept in touch, offered to help with launch and all that concerns the cinema.”
Open Plan Pictures, proud owners of the super-large 10.6m widescreen, brings the magic of the pop-up cinema drive-in to Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Our focus is to create events that enhance joy. The Drive-in is one of our ways to provide this entertainment. Yes, movies, not just international, local as in proudly South African, whether it be a local short film, documentary, or a sporting event. We are a firm believer in collaboration and we try to work as much as possible with local municipalities, NPC’s tourism board, small merchant enterprises and schools. One of our core values is unity and we believe that without it one cannot share and create experiences for the masses. “The value and insight, customer service and support has been an asset in my business journey. As a proud South African I was thrilled to find a local supplier. They provided me with administrative tools to assist with challenges running a mobile shop. Their 24/7 support is fantastic and they constantly went out of their way to find me extra business, train staff and resolve challenges in a very efficient turnaround time.“
Read our SPOTLIGHT: New Waves in Plettenberg Bay
GoDriveIn transformed an old parking lot into a retro drive-in cinema, the first of its kind in Salt River, Cape Town, South Africa and according to the founders, it’s here to stay and will continue to re-invent itself by introducing a variety of offerings such as a virtual reality arcade, live concerts, stand up comedy and a food truck roadhouse. Grant De Sousa tells us that “in the end, my dream of one day being a director with his own cinema has come true.” We look forward to seeing the magic unfold!
Born out of a desire to bring together our community, Nomad Gigs invites people to visit various places in the Overberg, Helderberg and Winelands while engaging in experiences that not only excite but are memorable. Clients can attend our outdoor cinematic movie nights at our beautiful locations or host their own movie night through our rental office. “We are thrilled to have recently purchased our very own outdoor cinema screen and to have met and learned from the very creative Pop-Up Cinema team.”
It’s been wonderful to see the positive impact the Sunshine Cinema project is having in South Africa. Sydelle Willow and Rowen Pybus are the founders of Sunshine Cinema, an ethically-minded media company and a solar-powered mobile movie theatre born in South Africa. The Sunshine Cinema team produce a range of films from practical ‘how to’ videos that teach viewers valuable and practical life skills to documentaries on a wide variety of socially relevant subjects. They then take these stories into the heart of the communities across Southern Africa and beyond, Sunshine Cinema turns solar energy into social impact, one cinema screening at a time.
If you are interested in supporting an entrepreneur or if you are an entrepreneur looking for support for your project – read the Focus on Africa post to learn more.
If you are aware of pop-up cinema’s in your part of the world that are providing community outreach, facilitating access to education and downright entertaining filmgoers please let us know.
