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B’ella competes in continental fest

Malawian movie B’ella is part of African movies competing in the Luxor African Film Festival (Laff).

The festival is organised by Independent Shabab Foundation, a civil and non-profit organisation, under the auspices of significant Egyptian Ministries and other organisations.

(L-R) Vera chirwa is escorted to her seat by Nkhonjera, Mkwezalamba, Kamanga and Mirovicova
(L-R) Vera chirwa is escorted to her seat by Nkhonjera, Mkwezalamba, Kamanga and Mirovicova

Laff is an annual event organised in the city of Luxor in Egypt and Malawi will, for the first time, participate at the festival’s fourth edition to take place from March 17 to 23.

The festival culminates in an award ceremony where judges award films in different categories.

“We are happy to inform you of the selection of your film, B’ella, in the long narratives competition of the 4th Luxor African Film Festival 2015,” reads a letter from the festival’s president Sayed Fouad to the film’s producers.

All the films for the festival are produced in Africa by African filmmakers with African themes and were released in 2014.

“Luxor African Film Festival consists of four competitions: long narratives, long documentaries, short films and the international competition of freedom films as well as other special sections.

“Each competition has its own international jury consisting of five members. For the long narratives competition, the jury will grant the following prizes: Nile Grand Prize for best film which consists of $4 000 (about K2 million) and the Golden Mask of Tutankhamun, $3 000  (about K1.5 million) and the Silver Mask of Tutankhamun for the second best as well as a certificate of appreciation and the Bronze Mask of Tutankhamun for the best artistic achievement,” explains Taonga Nkhonjera, the film’s director.

There are also prizes for the other categories.

This year, the guest of honour is Burkina Faso in recognition of its contribution to cinema in Africa through the festival, Fespaco, which is held in Ouagadougou.

B’ella follows the story of a girl, B’ella, who lives in Chazunda and goes to school with her friends Umboni, who is HIV positive and Dama, who loves to look good.

B’ella finds herself repeatedly in conflict with Kalilole, the self-imposed school beauty who constantly bullies and abuses Umboni, and B’ella, being such a strong, no-nonsense character does not take kindly to this.

Howdver, in standing up for her friend, Umboni, she gets into altercations with Kalilole that sometimes turn physical.

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