Against the Clock in Zambia: Filming the Human Impact of BII's Zambeef Investment
At Mensch Creative, we often say we’ll shoot anywhere. But "anywhere" sometimes comes with a challenge: "anytime."
We were thrilled to partner with British International Investment (BII), the UK's development finance institution, to capture the story of their impactful investment in Zambeef Products PLC, Zambia's largest agribusiness. This wasn't just a corporate video; it was a mission to document real-world social impact—how BII's support for Zambeef contributes to food security, supports over 10,000 small-scale farmers, and creates thousands of jobs. This is exactly the kind of impact-driven storytelling we live for. But this particular production adventure started with a countdown. "Super last-minute" was an understatement. With just a day to go before cameras were set to roll, we still didn't have a confirmed filming location.
Embracing the Flow: Production in the Real World
This is where the magic of collaboration truly shines. Our team, along with the incredible on-site client reps from BII and the Zambeef team, embraced the challenge. Forget a perfectly planned schedule; this was about agility and a shared goal. The challenges didn't stop there. Capturing the authentic story of a major food producer means going where the action is, and that comes with serious logistical and health & safety regulations. Our 2-day video and photography shoot involved navigating complex operational sites, with team members even having to shower and change into full hygiene clothing just to enter specific areas.
It’s these very challenges, however, that make the story real. It's proof of the high standards and commitment of the companies we were filming.Then, the final curveball: a planned interview was cancelled at the last minute due to illness. In production, this can be a disaster. For our team? It was just another problem to solve. Thanks to the fantastic "go with the flow" attitude of everyone on the ground, we pivoted, refocused our efforts, and maximized every minute of our shoot.
The result was a testament to true partnership. The collaboration between the BII and Zambeef representatives was seamless, allowing us to capture compelling narratives and stunning visuals despite the tight deadlines and constant changes.
This project in Zambia is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. It’s not just about creating cinematic content; it’s about navigating real-world complexities to uncover and share authentic stories of human impact. It’s about showing how innovative finance and dedicated local businesses are changing lives.
Do you have an impactful story that needs to be told? Whether it's in a remote location, on a tight deadline, or involves complex logistical challenges, our Berlin-based production team is ready to help you share it with the world. Contact us today to bring your impactful story to life.
