Northern Cape women aged 18 to 35, who dream of becoming an actress, now have a golden opportunity with a newly launched competition unique to the province.
NC Starlet is a reality web series competition searching for a female actress in the province to play the leading role in a short film alongside Fezile Mpela.
Mpela boasts a long list of roles in films and TV series, amongst others Song vir Katryn, Generations, Mzansi, 7de Laan, Erfsondes, Getroud met Rugby and Dis ek, Anna. This South African Film and Television Awards (Safta) winning actor is also a singer, voice artist, presenter and master of ceremonies.
NC Starlet was launched on Thursday (17/03) at the Flamingo Casino in Kimberley.
In NC Starlet, it is not only the winner – “who will have a spark,” who can make her own decisions and who is able to travel, as described by Mpela – who will benefit. The top six will have a life-changing experience and embody a transitional role. Also, they will be introduced to a skills development programme and to the film industry. This includes visits to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Mpela said the film industry was experiencing revolutionary times, with shorter films becoming the focal point. Since the competition will be presented as 24 web episodes, the audience reach does not only involve the Northern Cape, but millions of people world wide, Mpela emphasised.
Founder Evelyn Maruping described NC Starlet is the opportunity she never had.
“This project is huge, and includes local content development, unearthing Northern Cape talent and skills transfer. My dream was always for the Northern Cape,” Maruping said.
Actor Charmoné Blennies from Kimberley, the official host of NC Starlet, said all things start with a vision.
“Believe in yourself,” was her advice to aspiring starlets.
The call to entry opens on Friday (25/03) and runs until 25 April – and in August, during Women’s Month, the first NC Starlet will be introduced.
In the whole process, there will also be opportunities for both men and women as writers, make-up artists or hairdressers, for instance. Opportunity also exists for business to get involved.
Out of all the entries, the top 25 will be chosen, followed by the top 12 and the top 6. For the first entries, aspiring actresses must upload a short self-taped video.
- For all information and procedures, visit the Facebook page NC Starlet, also on Instagram, or on ncstarlet.com (which is expected to go live during the week).
