Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu, Showbiz Reporter
AFTER successfully launching the inaugural Varsity Film Expo last year at the National University of Science and Technology, (Nust) organisers have set their sights on continental reach as this year’s edition will be held in Gaborone, Botswana from December 15 to 18.
Organisers expressed this in an open call on African university students to use their creativity and imagination to produce short films that promote awareness and motivate action towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.
The Varsity Film Expo is an initiative of a Bulawayo-based company, Film and TV Resources led by renowned award-winning film director and cinematographer Kudzai Chikomo, along with seasoned businessman Kwanele Hlabangana.
The event celebrates film and film-making and features film screenings, speaking sessions, workshops, exhibitions and awards for outstanding productions. The expo programme is tailored to satisfy the needs and tastes of young and emerging filmmakers although it is open to members of the public.
The expo that supports Sustainable Development Goals will run under the theme “Africa animating SDGs”.
In a statement, the organisers said they are casting their net wider across Africa as a way of embracing the rich African talent.
“Africa has one of the fastest-growing higher education sectors in the world as per the Africa No Filter’s Business in Africa Narrative Report of 2022. There are nine million students enrolled at African universities according to Unesco statistics. The Varsity Film Expo recognises the opportunity universities provide in leading the effort to recast Africa in a more hopeful light. These students’ creativity and innovation can be harnessed to motivate positive transformation in Africa. The expo presents such an opportunity.”
Varsity Film Expo’s chief executive and founder, Chikomo said: “Our vision is a critical mass of audacious young African film-makers’ who utilise storytelling through film to articulate SDGs and Agenda 2063, African Union’s masterplan for sustainable development and economic growth.”
He challenged African university students to use their writing skills to contribute articles that extend knowledge, stimulate critical thinking, foster theoretical debate and add to Africa’s academic repository.
“We’re heartened by the responses from Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Egypt and Nigeria that we’ve received so far and encourage more young African filmmakers at varsity to come through.”
The expo’s head of strategic communications Addy Kudita said there is a need for collaborative efforts to make the expo successful.
“The Varsity Film Expo is very open to collaborating with like-minded businesses, entities and persons to help make this event a roaring success. It really does take a village and so we are approaching and are being approached by serious players in the business and film sector who would want to partner on various aspects of the expo.
“The expo is open and we hope more partners will come on board. Aspects of the Varsity Film Expo will be simulcast and technical partners in the telecommunications and other sectors are welcome. It’s also a serious marketing opportunity for brands which are interested in seeing the unlocking of young African talent,” said Kudita. – @eMKlass_49
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