Photo: The team, from left to right: Jo-Neillen Isaaks, Nguseta Humbu, Giovanni Strauss and Wesley Tashiya
At 16, Jo-Neillen Isaaks and his best friend started writing a cartoon series in their high school classroom. Eight years later, that childhood dream is still alive, and the 24-year-old Walvis Bay resident is building a career as a filmmaker, writer and director.
In an interview with the Namib Times, Isaaks spoke about his journey from studying Business Management to directing his debut short film, One More Win, and his hopes of helping grow Namibia’s film industry. Although he still lives in Walvis Bay, Isaaks is often in Windhoek these days, working on film productions. He matriculated at Duneside High School before moving to Windhoek to study Business Management at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). He graduated in 2024 and returned to Walvis Bay to look for a job.
However, his passion for storytelling never left him. “Funny enough, it all started with a cartoon,” he said. At the age of 16, he and his best friend began creating characters and stories for a cartoon series during class. They had the ideas and the ambition but did not know how to turn them into reality. Years later, while studying at NUST, Isaaks revived the project with his friend Wesley Tashiya, also from Walvis Bay. Tashiya would later become his co-writer on One More Win. Although the cartoon project did not get off the ground, Isaaks continued writing. “I’ve spent eight years building a filmmaking career to bring a high school cartoon to life. Still working on that last part,” he joked. For Isaaks, directing was a natural next step. “When I write, I can already visualise how I want the story to look on screen, so directing felt like a natural step,” he explained. He is particularly interested in stories about people, especially young people trying to understand who they are and where they fit into the world. “What draws me to filmmaking is the ability to take an idea that exists only in your head and turn it into something people can see, hear and feel,” he said. “You get to build a world, bring people together and hopefully make someone think a little differently.”
His debut short film, One More Win, explores the dangers of sports betting addiction and how the hope of quick financial freedom can gradually take over someone’s life. The film follows Eric, a young construction worker who is introduced to sports betting by a friend. After winning his first bet, he begins chasing the same feeling, believing that the next win could change everything. Isaaks wanted to tell the story because he believes sports betting can appear harmless at first, particularly to young people looking for ways to improve their financial circumstances. “I was interested in exploring how easily hope can turn into desperation when you start believing that just one more win will solve all your problems,” he said. “I didn’t want to lecture anyone; I wanted to tell a human story and let the audience draw their own conclusions.” Isaaks wrote and directed the film, while his childhood best friend, Nguseta Humbu, also from Walvis Bay, came on board as producer. Bringing the production together involved much more than writing a script and directing actors. It required planning, budgeting, casting, scheduling and making sure everything was completed within the available time. The opportunity came at an interesting time in Isaaks’s life.
He was still working in an office when he applied to the Namibia Film Commission (NFC) for funding. Between his regular work responsibilities, he was writing and developing his film proposal. Soon after submitting the application, his employment contract expired. Then the NFC called with the news that One More Win had been selected for funding. Suddenly, the project he had been working on between office hours became a reality. “I eventually went from sitting behind a desk to directing my own film,” he said. The opportunity gave him the confidence to take his ambitions seriously. “This year has opened doors I spent years hoping would open. I’ve gone from writing stories in my spare time to directing film productions. I’m still trying to figure out how I got here, but I know one thing: I don’t want to leave. Despite his enthusiasm, the journey came with its challenges. Isaaks had never attended film school, meaning much of his knowledge had to be gained through practical experience. He suddenly found himself directing a production and giving instructions to people who had formally studied filmmaking. “I’ll admit, it felt a little strange telling someone who went to film school what to do when I hadn’t been to one myself!” he said. The team also had only five days to shoot the film. The tight schedule meant that everyone had to work together, adapt quickly and make decisions under pressure.
The experience taught Isaaks that a filmmaker does not have to know everything before getting started. Sometimes, he said, “It is necessary to trust what you know, learn from others and figure things out along the way.” One lesson he carries with him came from his late grandfather, Daniel Isaaks, who taught him never to be afraid of hard work or pursuing his dreams. His grandfather often told him to “feed your eyes”. Whenever you are around people with more knowledge or experience, Isaaks explained, you should keep your eyes open and learn by watching. “I try to carry that mindset into everything I do, because there’s always something to learn from someone with more experience,” he said. Looking back, he came away from the production with a better understanding of filmmaking and a greater appreciation for his team. He also came away feeling as though he had aged about 10 years in just five days. For Isaaks, securing the contract to make One More Win remains one of his proudest achievements. He pitched his idea in a conference room at the Namibia Film Commission and, five days later, had a contract. “After years of writing stories and imagining them on screen, having someone believe in my idea enough to make it happen was a turning point,” he said. “It was the moment filmmaking stopped feeling like a distant dream and started becoming my reality.” Looking ahead, Isaaks wants to see Namibia develop a film industry where local filmmakers can earn a living from their work. He believes the country has many stories worth telling and wants to see more opportunities for local talent to build sustainable careers. “I want to see us build an industry where Namibian filmmakers can make a sustainable living doing what they love, without having their mothers constantly reminding them to get a real job,” he said. He also hopes to take on bigger projects and eventually create work that puts Namibia on the international map. Although he has already written several film scripts this year, he said there are many stories still waiting for their turn.
He is currently working on a new project and has recently completed directing another production he was hired for. However, he cannot share further details because of confidentiality agreements. His team includes Humbu as line producer, Tashiya as co-writer and his cousin Giovanni Strauss as producer. All four are from Walvis Bay and are determined to show what local talent can achieve. “We’re determined to show people what the coast can cook,” Isaaks said. While his projects may differ, his aim as a storyteller remains the same: to make people feel something and leave them with something to think about.
Whether the audience experiences laughter, sadness, discomfort or anger, he wants his stories to stay with them long after the screen goes black. “If someone sees a part of themselves in my work or looks at another person a little differently because of it, then I’ve done my job,” he said. His message to other young people hoping to enter the film industry is simple: do not wait for someone else to give you permission to start. As a newcomer, he believes you sometimes have to create your own opportunities before others are willing to give you a chance. “That’s what I did with One More Win. You have to be willing to take a chance on yourself before you can expect someone else to,” he said. He also believes success should open doors for others. “And when you finally get that opportunity, don’t let it end with you. Create opportunities for others, especially those who are still waiting for their chance,” he said. “We’re not just trying to build individual careers; we’re trying to build an industry.” For now, the young filmmaker is focused on the next chapter of his journey, with a collection of scripts waiting to be brought to life. Audiences will have an opportunity to watch One More Win at the European Film Festival on 10 November 2026 at the Goethe-Institut in Windhoek. The film was written and directed by Jo-Neillen Isaaks, produced by Nguseta Humbu, co-written by Wesley Tashiya, and features cinematography by Warren Moncho. The cast includes Timothy Mulondo, Elzaan De Wee and Carol-Ann Van Wyk. “Everything I’ve been doing currently would not have been as easy without the love, help and support of my parents Sofia and Daniel De Klerk”, Isaaks concluded.
By Eileen van der Schyff
