From YouTube tutorials to the silver screen

Self-taught filmmaker
Kevin Nkinda's career in media began at the tender age of nine, and he has gone on to work on impressive projects such as 'Skeleton Coast', starring Eric Roberts, Thapelo Mokoena and Tjuna Daringo.
Raimo Dengeinge
  • 1 Month Ago
Kevin Nkinda, also known as Kenzy OMG, is a young filmmaker and the co-founder Vertical Studios.

His career in media began at the tender age of nine when he joined his church's media team, where he took on tasks involving videos and photos. “I would eagerly take on any media-related task,” he recalled, “soaking up every bit of knowledge and experience".

Nkinda is entirely self-taught, using online resources like YouTube to learn and experiment. “I spent countless hours watching tutorials, studying techniques and experimenting with what I learnt,” he explained.

He emphasised that the art of filmmaking is about deceiving the audience, mastering techniques like using innovative lighting to simulate different times of day. “For instance, shooting at night with innovative lighting technology can make it appear as if it were daytime.”

Inspired by Marvel movies, Nkinda focused on visual effects and post-production. “Marvel’s ability to create immersive and visually stunning experiences left a lasting impression on me,” he said.



Hard work

Nkinda's hard work led to an opportunity to work on the 2024 feature film 'Skeleton Coast', collaborating with prominent actors such as South Africa's Thapelo Mokoena and Eric Roberts from the United States.

“Working alongside such seasoned professionals was both overwhelming and enlightening,” he said.

Mokoena’s advice on financial reinvestment was impactful for him, Nkinda noted. “His advice about investing the money earned from big productions resonated deeply with me.”

Additionally, Nkinda runs 'Namballers', a platform showcasing Namibian basketball players and content, driven by his passion for the sport.

“Through 'Namballers', I aim to provide a platform for all Namibian athletes to gain recognition and for the sport’s rich history to be documented and celebrated.”



Advice

Nkinda advised aspiring filmmakers to focus on improving their skills with the equipment available to them. “Don’t worry about not having the latest gear. The more you practice, the better you will become," he said.

He further expressed a desire to collaborate with industry figures like Chris Hemsworth and Lupita Nyong'o, reflecting his aspiration to advance in his career.

Describing himself as hardworking and proactive, Nkinda’s story highlights his dedication to his craft and his contributions to Namibian cinema.