Film producer who brings vision to the silver screen

As one of the rising film producers in the industry of bongo films, he has been taking an international tone, which is revolutionizing the way cinema lovers consume and engage with local content.

His debut film, ‘Still Okay to Date, received a total of five awards, which include the best international award from the Kalasha Awards in Nairobi, Kenya; three Tanzania Film Festival Awards (TaFFA); and one Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) award.

Born and raised in Dar es Salaam, Onasaa has always been passionate about film production, despite being an alumnus of the Dar es Salaam University of Technology, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering.

He’s currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration at the East and Southern Africa Management Institute and is expected to graduate this November.

Despite knowing him today as one of the rising film producers, he also owns a studio called Code Studio, which specializes in event coverage.

He’s also an active member of the Tanzania Start-up Association (TSA) and actively participates in the formation of the Professional Photographers Association of Tanzania.

For around five years, he has been actively involved in the production industry, creating content for commercial corporate clients across a variety of industries, including banking, telecommunications, energy, NGOs, and charity.

Onasaa believes he was inspired to pursue a career in filmmaking after meeting Multichoice Talent Factory graduate and producer of their debut movie, Kefa Igilo.

“My journey into film production began five years ago when I recognized the immense potential of visual storytelling in delivering impactful messages to audiences on various commercial projects. This ignited my passion for film and its power to engage, inspire, and connect with people on a deeper level. I was introduced to the art of filmmaking by Kefa Igilo, a talented Multichoice Talent Factory alumnus and producer at TBC. This encounter inspired me to explore this new avenue and bring my unique vision to life on the silver screen,” he explains.

Narrating about his debut experience, Onasaa explains that ‘Still Okay to Date’ was a true testament to the power of collaboration and going beyond expectations.

“The inspiration behind this project came from Kefa, my fellow producer, who drew from his own life experiences growing up with a single mother. The film aimed at portraying a relatable and touching story that resonated with many. The result was truly rewarding, as our efforts were recognized with multiple awards both internationally and locally, which further fueled our passion for storytelling through cinema,” he details.

Speaking about how he breaks down his ideas for creating ‘Still Okay to Date’ and other upcoming projects as a producer, he says that he constantly draws inspiration from working closely with writers and creatives.

“While I may not be a writer myself, I actively contribute by translating scripts and ensuring that the vision aligns with the project’s objectives. Collaboration and open-mindedness play a pivotal role in shaping the stories we bring to life on screen,” says Onasaa.

Despite the fact that ‘Still Okay to Date’ garnered five awards, Onasaa admits that it took them weeks and months to develop a unique plot and cast of characters.

“The story was developed in 2020. The entire filmmaking process, from story conception to post-production, spanned a total of two months. It commenced with one month of pre-production, followed by an 8-day production period. Finally, two months were dedicated to post-production, resulting in a well-crafted and meaningful cinematic experience,” clarifies Onasaa.

He further added that the award-winning movie isn’t based on a real event; it just draws inspiration from people’s experiences and emotions that many individuals can relate to on a personal level.

“The story aims to resonate with audiences by reflecting the complexities of human relationships and life journeys, even though it is not directly grounded in any specific real-life event,” he says.

Since immersing himself in the art of film production, Onasaa has already produced two films, ‘Still Okay to Date’ and ‘Love Transfusion’.

If you are a movie buff who is always looking for Easter eggs or cryptic messages, then Onasaa has a different approach to storytelling.

“My focus is on creating engaging and relatable narratives that connect with the audience on an emotional level. By presenting compelling stories without cryptic elements, I aim to foster a genuine and transparent connection with viewers,” he explains, while also appreciating other filmmakers who incorporate hidden messages.

In addition to the two movies that have already been released, Onasaa confirms that there are two upcoming projects that will be more interesting than the previous ones.

“I’m thrilled to share that I have two exciting projects in the pipeline. One is a heartwarming Christmas wedding tale, designed to spread joy and love during the holiday season. The other project, “Sumu,” is a thought-provoking short film that will leave a lasting impression on the audience. I’m incredibly enthusiastic about these projects and the potential they hold to captivate viewers and inspire new perspectives,” he shares.

Besides, to make the film industry sustainable, Onasaa has been providing internship and field opportunities for students studying film at the University of Dar es Salaam and those from the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology. He also retained some of the best in his company.

With the help of up-and-coming filmmakers who have been making high-calibre movies like other well-established industries in Africa, the Bongo film industry is currently setting its own record for the ways in which tales are written, produced, and directed.

Meet Jerryson Onasaa, a 27-year-old film producer, passionate entrepreneur, and computer engineer by profession.

As one of the rising film producers in the industry of bongo films, he has been taking an international tone, which is revolutionizing the way cinema lovers consume and engage with local content.

His debut film, ‘Still Okay to Date, received a total of five awards, which include the best international award from the Kalasha Awards in Nairobi, Kenya; three Tanzania Film Festival Awards (TaFFA); and one Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) award.

Born and raised in Dar es Salaam, Onasaa has always been passionate about film production, despite being an alumnus of the Dar es Salaam University of Technology, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering.

He’s currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration at the East and Southern Africa Management Institute and is expected to graduate this November.

Despite knowing him today as one of the rising film producers, he also owns a studio called Code Studio, which specializes in event coverage.

He’s also an active member of the Tanzania Start-up Association (TSA) and actively participates in the formation of the Professional Photographers Association of Tanzania.

For around five years, he has been actively involved in the production industry, creating content for commercial corporate clients across a variety of industries, including banking, telecommunications, energy, NGOs, and charity.

Onasaa believes he was inspired to pursue a career in filmmaking after meeting Multichoice Talent Factory graduate and producer of their debut movie, Kefa Igilo.

“My journey into film production began five years ago when I recognized the immense potential of visual storytelling in delivering impactful messages to audiences on various commercial projects. This ignited my passion for film and its power to engage, inspire, and connect with people on a deeper level. I was introduced to the art of filmmaking by Kefa Igilo, a talented Multichoice Talent Factory alumnus and producer at TBC. This encounter inspired me to explore this new avenue and bring my unique vision to life on the silver screen,” he explains.

Narrating about his debut experience, Onasaa explains that ‘Still Okay to Date’ was a true testament to the power of collaboration and going beyond expectations.

“The inspiration behind this project came from Kefa, my fellow producer, who drew from his own life experiences growing up with a single mother. The film aimed at portraying a relatable and touching story that resonated with many. The result was truly rewarding, as our efforts were recognized with multiple awards both internationally and locally, which further fueled our passion for storytelling through cinema,” he details.

Speaking about how he breaks down his ideas for creating ‘Still Okay to Date’ and other upcoming projects as a producer, he says that he constantly draws inspiration from working closely with writers and creatives.

“While I may not be a writer myself, I actively contribute by translating scripts and ensuring that the vision aligns with the project’s objectives. Collaboration and open-mindedness play a pivotal role in shaping the stories we bring to life on screen,” says Onasaa.

Despite the fact that ‘Still Okay to Date’ garnered five awards, Onasaa admits that it took them weeks and months to develop a unique plot and cast of characters.

“The story was developed in 2020. The entire filmmaking process, from story conception to post-production, spanned a total of two months. It commenced with one month of pre-production, followed by an 8-day production period. Finally, two months were dedicated to post-production, resulting in a well-crafted and meaningful cinematic experience,” clarifies Onasaa.

He further added that the award-winning movie isn’t based on a real event; it just draws inspiration from people’s experiences and emotions that many individuals can relate to on a personal level.

“The story aims to resonate with audiences by reflecting the complexities of human relationships and life journeys, even though it is not directly grounded in any specific real-life event,” he says.

Since immersing himself in the art of film production, Onasaa has already produced two films, ‘Still Okay to Date’ and ‘Love Transfusion’.

If you are a movie buff who is always looking for Easter eggs or cryptic messages, then Onasaa has a different approach to storytelling.

“My focus is on creating engaging and relatable narratives that connect with the audience on an emotional level. By presenting compelling stories without cryptic elements, I aim to foster a genuine and transparent connection with viewers,” he explains, while also appreciating other filmmakers who incorporate hidden messages.

In addition to the two movies that have already been released, Onasaa confirms that there are two upcoming projects that will be more interesting than the previous ones.

“I’m thrilled to share that I have two exciting projects in the pipeline. One is a heartwarming Christmas wedding tale, designed to spread joy and love during the holiday season. The other project, “Sumu,” is a thought-provoking short film that will leave a lasting impression on the audience. I’m incredibly enthusiastic about these projects and the potential they hold to captivate viewers and inspire new perspectives,” he shares.

Besides, to make the film industry sustainable, Onasaa has been providing internship and field opportunities for students studying film at the University of Dar es Salaam and those from the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology. He also retained some of the best in his company.