Lady Tshawe leads debate on filmmakers’ struggles

Over the weekend, film enthusiasts in Bulawayo had the pleasure of immersing themselves in local content at the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) Film Festival hosted at Ster-Kinekor cinemas in Bulawayo.

This event served as a prelude to the forthcoming Namas scheduled to take place at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) on February 24.

The festival, a National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), Nama, and Jacaranda Culture and Media Corporation (JCMC) idea, was held under the theme, “The future of filmmaking in Zimbabwe.”

It centred around the concept of elevating the nation’s small-screen productions to new heights.

Such a get-together between media practitioners and lovers of film got the attention of the NACZ acting director, Josiah Kusena who encouraged film industry players not to lose heart since film is a critical component of the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs) in the country.

“Film plays an extensive role in the arts, entertainment and culture of our country, thus we thought, why not create a platform that is specifically designed to celebrate the astounding works that our own home-grown film makers have done.

“The festival’s theme speaks to the history of filmmaking in our country, where we have come from, where we are and where we are going in creating world-class films,” asserted Kusena.

He conveyed a commitment to providing all necessary support for film production. He assured that 2024 is poised to be a year dedicated to the revitalisation of the film industry in Zimbabwe.

In a true cinematic fashion, a variety of films captivated the audience, featuring titles such as God Knows, The Signal, Ngoda and House of Stone.

Actress, Lady Tshawe skilfully led a discussion addressing the challenges faced by filmmakers and exploring potential solutions.

A primary challenge highlighted was the financial instability faced by film producers and directors, prompting them to earnestly appeal to the NACZ for assistance.

Prominent figures such as renowned photographer SaDee and Sean Membware served as panellists, while representatives from NACZ, including Cleopatra Dube and William Nyandoro, actively participated in the discussions throughout the two-day event.

The award-winning traditional dance group, Sekunjalo MaAfrica, took the stage to perform for the audience, skilfully showcasing the diverse art forms present in the city. —@MbuleloMpofu