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Tafadzwa Zimoyo Arts Reporter
Hollywood actor Tongayi Chirisa missed out on this year’s International Images Film Festival for Women due to pressing commitments.
Chirisa, who was part of the jury members for the new category “World View/New Man” said he could not make it home due to what he called “quick turnaround between schedules”.
“We had bought his ticket but it’s unfortunate that he landed a role just a day before he was expected to come for the festival,” said an official from IIFF.
She said Chirisa promised to attend next year’s festival.
A number of filmmakers that attended the festival shared their views on the film fete that drew participants from various parts of the continent.
At the film industry forum that ran under the theme “Breaking Down the Walls”, Zimbabwe International Film Festival Trust coordinator Elton Mjanana said there was need to engage Government and filmmakers to work together.
“This festival comes hard on the heels of the proposal by Government which is still in the consultation stages, of introducing film in the education system from primary education right up to tertiary institutions. A working relationship needs to be cultivated between the two parties as this will ensure the output of products that can compete on a global scale and the creation of a real film industry,” he said.
Local soap “Wenera” writer and director Edmore Ndlovu said this year the festival was bigger and better.
“I am impressed with what the organiser pulled through. There is a lot of local talent which is untamed and I urge the responsible corporates and authorities to support the local film industry. What has been displayed by women filmmakers is so amazing,” he said.
The award-winning director said for those in the industry to make it big, they should be real in their productions.
The successful festival, which ended over the weekend, saw filmmakers, producers, actors and directors taking part under the theme “Women Alive Women of Heart”.
The theme was meant to focus on telling stories of women in a positive manner through filming and imagery.
The festival also saw DStv’s Zambezi Magic channel co-sponsoring as it focused on women empowerment.
During the fete 56 films were screened at five venues in Harare.
Nine of these films were sourced from Zimbabwean filmmakers, including Wizzy Mangoma and Dorothy Meck. African women filmmakers from eight countries gathered in Harare to discuss and map a way forward for them to position themselves in the film industry.
The organisers hosted the African Women Filmmakers’ Hub Inaugural Meeting, which was sponsored by the Ford Foundation, where women shared their experiences and the challenges they face in the industry.
Representatives from Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Senegal, Rwanda, Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire got the chance to speak openly about the barriers that they face in penetrating the industry as women filmmakers and how they have managed to overcome some of them.
They concurred that change should come from women, as they have for a long time stood on the sidelines and watched their male counterparts take them for granted and also not given them a voice.
Most of the films made were a male’s perspective of women and it was now time to hear what women have to say about themselves.
Women have taken a stand to help change the imagery about them and also balance the narratives that have been predominately male.
Online Reporter