Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE movie ‘Chinhoyi 7’ has received six nominations at the Rivers International Film Festival scheduled for Sunday at Downtown Cinema Runuodara Eneka in River State, Nigeria.
This 2018 film is based on the famous Battle of Chinhoyi, a crucial event in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. The battle took place on April 28, 1966.Written and directed by Moses Matanda, it chronicles the story of the seven ZANLA guerrillas who were the first to fight against the Ian Smith regime, sparking the Second Chimurenga that ultimately led to Zimbabwe’s independence.
The film was bankrolled by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and premiered on March 16, 2018.
Tawanda Sarireni was the producer while Major (Retired) Special Matarirano acted as the military advisor on the Chinhoyi 7 set.
The movie has been nominated in six categories at the third Rivers International Film Festival. It marks a significant development for the local film industry
Its six nominations include Best Overall Film, Best International Film, Best Male Actor (Julian Shaw), Best Set Design (Paidamoyo Chideya), Best Editing (Tawanda Sarireni), and Best Story (Shaw). In a confirmation letter from Kate Ezeigbo, founder of the Rivers International Festival, the event organisers hailed the Government of Zimbabwe for supporting the production of the film. “We would like to thank the Zimbabwean Government for their support in promoting and sustaining creativity and our indigenous cultures.
“This is exemplary and should be emulated by all government parastatals and agencies.
“Film festivals are the easiest tools for poverty eradication and economic development,” Ezeigbo said. Matarirano, who is currently in Nigeria along with Matanda and Sarireni, is optimistic that Zimbabwean film will shine at the awards ceremony.
“We are set to win maybe three or four awards if my prediction is correct. That’s my prediction. “
The Rivers International Film Festival is one of the biggest platforms, which has been hailed for promoting the local film industry. There were more than 60 categories entered this year, with nominations coming from over 600 films internationally that applied to be showcased at this film festival. For Chinhoyi 7 to make it among the 600 movies is a plus for the local film industry, which lacks funding. With proper funding and structures, the film industry can make great strides and follow in the footsteps of Nollywood (Nigeria) and Bollywood (India), where the sector has made a strong impact.
