Startup Story
Vicky Chilli is a 31-year-old entrepreneur from Umlazi in South Africa and the founder of eKasi Bioscope (Pty) Ltd. She established a movie cinema in her township and uses film as a tool for social change. She started this project in 2016 at King Shaka High School where she discovered that learners were facing social issues and needed a platform to relate too, open-up and learn. The cinema screens African-inspired movies and the youth watch movies for free. Vicky has screened approximately 20 African-inspired movies indoors and had 1 drive-in cinema.
LoA spoke to the impact-making Vicki Chilli about her passion for cinema as a tool for social change and about her ambitions for the future.
What does your company do?
We screen African-inspired films in communities and use film as tool for social change. After the film we hold space and conversation. Our cinema equipment is also available for rental for different occasions like workshops, funerals, private movie nights. Our equipment include projector+ projector stand, tripod screen, inflatable screen, JVC Bluetooth Speaker, headphones, photography services and popcorn machine.
“We screen African-inspired films in communities and use film as tool for social change.”
“We offer movie experiences, and we get to engage with audiences after each session. We better understand and consider people's opinions and feelings hence that is why we create a safe space for the community.”
What inspired you to start your company?
My experience as a Social Worker at King Shaka High School and just being passionate about being a game-changer.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We offer movie experiences, and we get to engage with audiences after each session. We better understand and consider people's opinions and feelings hence that is why we create a safe space for the community.
Tell us a little about your team:
My team is volunteering since we don't have funding and rely mainly on the bookings we get for equipment. Some of my team members work full-time and sometimes can't commit to attending movie sessions.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I don't come from entrepreneur background and when I started the project honestly I didn't picture it making money. However, along the way I developed new ways to sustain it and also in the future to be able to create employment for the youth in my community.
“I don't come from entrepreneur background and when I started the project honestly I didn't picture it making money. However, along the way I developed new ways to sustain it.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
To be able to create employment and sustain the project forever.
To have more photography equipment so we can capture beautiful African stories that we can screen and provide affordable equipment to hire for filmmakers.
To have more projects that compliments the cinema e.g. Art center and Library in my community.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The fact that I created employment for myself. That is a huge WIN!!!!!
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Start where you are, with what you have and build from there. They will come!!!!!
Contact or follow eKasi Bioscope:
Email: chilivicky07@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/veekey.chili
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vickychili12
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vickydenisechili/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwHhukCnSms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PyhXmx9WF8&t=23s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5ZpJTL7pFI&t=185s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7LD__qGw6E
Why LoA loves it…
At Lionesses of Africa we love hearing the stories of women entrepreneurs who harness their passion and create businesses that positively impact their communities. Vicky Chilli is one such entrepreneur, using the power of film to create positive change and impact, particularly for the youth in her community. She is a great example of how it’s possible to make a positive difference in people’s lives through the power of film. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa