Online Reporter
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
RISING filmmaker and storyteller, Jabulani Mudzvova, is walking with a spring in his step after he won the Best Director award at the Paris Film Festival.
He won the award for his short film titled “Residue.”
This international festival, which is held in Paris, France, brings together artists, creatives and filmmakers, to focus on new talent and innovative works.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Mudzvova said:
“Film, as a medium, utilises visuals and audio, it can encompass all art forms and appeal to all senses except smell. However, even that can be conveyed through the power of cinematic grammar.
“I’m not a fan of unmotivated camera movement so I spend a lot of time planning the visual grammar and how it can complement a narrative to fully appeal to the psychology of the viewer and ultimately evoke emotion.
“At the moment, we are editing another project and getting closer to filming another one that I believe will have a special impact.
“I’m very excited about that.
“I have made some interesting connections this year and I am looking forward to working with more specialists in certain roles to enhance the quality of our work.”
He added:
“Everything I’m doing essentially contributes to the building blocks of my career and my goal of making a feature film, getting into a film lab, participating in bigger festivals, and reaching more screens.
“I just need to demonstrate that I have talent, I’m hungry, eager to learn and any rejection that comes my way won’t hold me back.
“My confidence stems from my trust in the process and my instincts, not just from awards, as affirming as they can be.
“Outside of film, The Authors and I are always up to something, even if it’s not film-related, dedicated to the renaissance of the Zimbabwean art space.”
He has been humbled by the award.
“I’m ecstatic and genuinely honoured. It’s incredible news to receive and share. It’s nice to be acknowledged for my efforts in this art form, the art form I love, to compete and win internationally.
“Growing up, watching so much from the French New Wave – a huge building block of my education and ultimately an inspiration for this film – consciously and subconsciously, I feel that this means something.
“It’s a boost for my profile. I would like to thank my co-producers who made this film a reality— Santu Guild, Big Red Media and The Authors.
“For the past three years, transitioning from ideation to having the courage to put my money where my mouth is, filmmaking is practical. You’re only a director when you can put your name at the end of the credits. For something that I have honed, idealised and poured my heart into, it’s nice to receive a Best Director win. That’s a special achievement in the film community; it highlights my developing style and overall skill.”
