BAO Outdoor Film Nights
BAO Outdoor Film NiGHTS is a Botswana-based outdoor film screening series founded by filmmaker Kevin Sebolao. The platform focuses on showcasing independent films from Botswana and other African countries while giving filmmakers opportunities to present their work directly to audiences, receive feedback, and build connections within the creative sector.
History
The origins of BAO Outdoor Film Nights were traced in reporting by Botswana Guardian to a 2019 fundraising screening organised by Sebolao after one of his films was selected for the Silicon Valley African Film Festival in the United States. The screening was held in Gaborone as a "pay what you can" event to raise travel funds. Sebolao later developed the concept into a recurring outdoor cinema platform intended to help filmmakers gain visibility and income from completed projects.
Format and mission
BAO Outdoor Film Nights has been described as an outdoor cinema event combining film screenings, audience interaction, and cultural programming. The event was designed to provide a platform for local filmmakers, encourage direct engagement between filmmakers and audiences, and create a broader community around independent African cinema.
Editions
The second edition of BAO Outdoor Film Nights was scheduled for 19 October 2024 at The Wild Tree House in Tlokweng. That edition featured films from Botswana, Tanzania, and Nigeria.
In 2026, The Midweek Sun described the event as reaching its fourth edition. The report said the programme had expanded to include music, theatre, dance, creative stalls, and networking activities in addition to its film screenings.
Reception and impact
Botswana Guardian reported that BAO Outdoor Film Nights had screened films from countries including South Africa, Nigeria, India, and Pakistan, and that some screenings had attracted more than 150 attendees. The series is part of a broader effort to create new exhibition opportunities for filmmakers in Botswana.
The event had also begun receiving support from the National Arts Council of Botswana and the High Commission of India in Botswana by 2026.