adminNgoni Dapira
THE 16th edition of the Zimbabwe Film Festival that ran from October 4 to last Saturday was no doubt a wake-up call for Africa and Zimbabwe at large to start telling its own story in film. Over the years, Africa’s rich history and stories of famous warriors like Shaka Zulu, liberation war heroes like Samora Machel of Mozambique and South African political activists like Steve Biko and Nelson Mandela have all been told from a Eurocentric view.
During the ZIFF ‘‘Camarada Presidente’’, a film produced by Zimbabwe film-maker Mosco Kamwendo became a highlight at the festival.
The film, which was done over seven years, documents the real life controversy surrounding the death of Samora Machel, a village boy who rose to become a daring guerilla and liberator for Mozambique.
Running under the theme: ‘‘Universal African’’, the festival also screened other films by African producers from South Africa, Egypt and Kenya to mention a few, showing a broad spectrum of documentaries, short films, animations and action films.
In an interview on Tuesday, one of Zimbabwe’s acclaimed new generation film-makers, Joe Njagu, said there was a great need for Zimbabwean film-makers to come out and tell the Zimbabwean stories in film.
To date, Njagu has managed to scoop several accolades which include best director at the Jabula Film Festival in 2009, the National Arts and Merit Award for Best Film Production in 2010 for ‘‘Lobola’’ and the best director at the 2011 American Film Festival, for the movie ‘‘The Gentleman’’.
While Zimbabwe’s film industry has over the years been called a ‘‘sleeping giant’’, Njagu said the country’s film industry had huge potential, but currently lacked sound frameworks in place to ensure funding and international joint ventures.
He said the first port of call was for Government to recognise the potential that the arts industry has, especially the film industry citing the job creation potential of the trade.
“Billions can be injected in the economy every year through a sustainable film industry in Zimbabwe.
“Last year, a South Africa Film Industry Economic Baseline study concluded that as at April 2013, the South African film industry contributed R3,5 billion to its Gross Domestic Product and in 2012 created more than 25 000 jobs.
“Nigeria’s government has since realised the potential of Nollywood, which currently employs 200 000 people directly and another million indirectly.
“However, in Zimbabwe, only a few companies sponsor films, but it is time the nation realised the potential in the film industry,” said Njagu.
While over the years, local movie producers are increasing by the year, they have, however, cited piracy as a stumbling block to the development of the industry.
Producers and artistes have since implored Government to work on strict bylaws to counter piracy.
At the official opening of the ZIFF the Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa said the local film industry had potential but needed support from various sectors, not only Government. He, however, said Government was willing to assist where possible to open doors for the local film industry to develop.
Online Reporter