Adriano champions Namibian creativity at the Sotigui awards

As the ninth edition of the Sotigui Awards approaches, Namibian creative Adriano Visagie prepares to host the prestigious event for the fifth time.

The awards acknowledge cinema production in Africa and beyond.

Reflecting on the growth of the awards, he expresses excitement about the opportunities this year holds.

“The Sotigui Awards continue to grow on a year-by-year basis,” he says. “Alongside a new co-host, I hope to highlight how far Namibia has come in the cinema industry.”

This year, the spotlight shines on local talent, particularly young actor Alejandro Cooper who has been nominated for his role in ‘Lukas’ directed by Philippe Talavera.

Visage finds it heartwarming to see local productions gaining recognition both nationally and globally.

“It’s wonderful to witness our short films taking centre stage,” he adds.

He recently celebrated his win as social media influencer of the year at the Simply You Magazine Awards, an honour he describes as a humbling experience.

“This award represents the hard work that goes into creating the content on my social media platforms,” he says.

Visagie has been versatile, exploring new avenues in content creation. He hopes to expand his work with more Namibian talent, particularly focusing on behind-the-scenes contributions that often go unnoticed.

“Teamwork always makes the dream work,” he says, viewing the Namibian creative industry as a collaborative effort.

He highlights the progress made over the past decade, noting the increasing recognition of creatives through events like the Sotigui Awards.

“We’ve come a long way, and the acknowledgment of our work shows our advancement,” he says.

Visagie’s advice to aspiring creatives is straightforward yet impactful: “Know who you are!”

He emphasises the importance of identity in shaping one’s path in the industry.

“Be professional; brands are always watching your work. Building genuine relationships and a strong personal brand are essential, as these can open doors long before one enters a room,” he says.

The ninth edition of the Sotigui Awards will take place at Canal Olympia in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on November 16, showcasing the talent emerging from Namibia and the broader African cinema landscape.