About
Shatho Tibone
Botswana born and bred. Filmmaker, documentary director and social activist, working across Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique for over twelve years.
The short version
Film as craft and as intervention.
I started in a recording studio, not behind a camera. A diploma in sound engineering, an internship in a post-production facility in Johannesburg, and a habit of listening before framing that has never left the work.
Film school followed, then a decade split between two worlds that rarely speak to each other: grassroots documentary in communities the media forgets, and structured commercial production with brands, broadcasters and agencies. Working across both has taught me to adapt a story to an objective without compromising its depth.
Today I direct and shoot from Gaborone, through African Tale Media, a boutique company built for socially conscious storytelling in Botswana and the wider region. I am also actively open to roles inside organisations doing development and intervention work, where media is a tool rather than the product.
The through line is simple. I do not think a film is finished when it is delivered. It is finished when something has changed.
Career
Where the twelve years went.
Producer and Director — African Tale Media, Botswana
A boutique production company for socially conscious storytelling and issue-driven filmmaking. Documentaries, branded content and visual campaigns on identity, inequality, social justice and community impact across Southern Africa.
Producer, Videographer, Sound Engineer and Editor — Azania Rizing Productions
A hub for filmmakers of African descent telling stories about Africa and the African diaspora, reviving political consciousness through cinema.
Producer, Videographer, Editor and Director — OkayAfrica
Creative collaborations with the New York digital media platform dedicated to African culture, music and politics.
Videographer and Video Editor — 1410th Street Productions
End-to-end production house working in documentary, branded content and event coverage across Southern Africa.
Guest Lecturer — Each One Teach One Programme
Youth empowerment programme on the Cape Flats. Twice-weekly sessions introducing young people to filmmaking technique and storytelling principles.
Audio Engineering Internship — Aquanote Productions
Post-production facility. Studio recording, sound design, session management and professional audio workflows.
Education
Trained in sound first.
Bachelor of Arts, Film Production
SAE Institute
Diploma, Sound Engineering
SAE Institute
Skills
On set and off it.
Craft
- Directing
- Cinematography
- Camera operating
- Editing
- Producing
- Directing talent
Professional
- Project management
- Leadership
- Effective communication
- Critical thinking
- Teamwork
- Time management
Languages: English (fluent), Setswana.
Availability
Open to commissions, crew roles and staff positions.
Based in Gaborone, Botswana. Working across the region and interested in expanding this practice across the rest of Africa and globally.