New film, design academy to open soon

film studies, animation, visual effects, and design for the Web and design for print.
The institution seeks to equip visual artists with novel skills in the industry and “redefine artistic expression through media.”
“We exist to fill the gap between the demands of real life work situations and the skills learnt through the traditional higher education system.
“By adopting a more hands-on teaching system, we mould students equipped to take on practical world challenges,” read part of the institution’s mission statement.
The opening of the arts school has been described as a welcome move because it will help Zimbabwean visual arts practitioners to improve their skills in the area and match international standards.
“Given film is a global phenomenon with many prospering international and African film industries contributing to the economies, it is gratifying to that indigenous filmmakers and artists in Zimbabwe have pooled their academic resources to bring the technology home.
“Originally the preserve of big Hollywood studios, with immense budgets, advances in camera technology, high-tech sound and editing equipment, the Zimbabwean Global Academy has managed to match these international technological standards and as well devised a curriculum that also encompasses local cultural content,” said Solomon Simbirai Maramba.
Maramba is a leading animation and practitioner and lecturer,
The academy opened its doors to the public in January this year and boasts state-of-the-art facilities in filmmaking, visual arts and design, light and sound technology and digital media, among others.
Zimbabwe has in the past produced films like “Neria”, “Jiti”, “Yellow Card”, “I Want A Dress” and “Tanyaradzwa” among others — written, produced or directed by artistes like Tsitsi Dangarembga and Tawanda Gunda-Mupengo.