The second edition of the Nyasa International Film Festival held on Saturday at Madsoc Theatre in Lilongwe, drew filmmakers, actors and an audience to a cinema that combined storytelling with social advocacy.
The one-day festival screened a mix of local and international films selected to tackle misinformation surrounding albinism and raise awareness on tobacco harm reduction.
Malawian productions Liberator, The Scare and Deborah’s Fate, were screened alongside entries from South Africa, Costa Rica and the USA.
Festival director Phil Kuipa Phiri said the festival aims to use and showcase films to educate audiences, challenge harmful beliefs while sparking conversations on issues that affect communities across Malawi.
“Established mainly as an advocacy film festival, we want to use this as a tool for activism looking at various society issues. While we focused on a public health issue last year, we added a human rights issue regarding persons with albinism,” he said.
According to Phiri, there is misinfomation and misconceptions surrounding albinism in communities, a notion that has fuelled attacks on people with albinism, particularly during election periods.
“Previously, people with albinism were victimised, abducted and even killed due to misinformation. So, we wanted to amplify the voices of people with albinism using film,” he said.
The festival also featured films addressing misinformation around tobacco harm and safer nicotine products.
Other films included The Gunless
Soldier, Just as Good, A Walk on the Wild Side which did not directly focus on the theme but other issues including victimising the elderly and mob justice.
In addition to screenings, the festival recognised actors and producers for their contributions to the local film industry.
Actress Neria Chikhosi, who featured in the film The Gunless Soldier, which won Best Feature Film during the festival, said actors carry a responsibility to use their roles to highlight important social issues and that such platforms allow them to solidify these roles.
“As actors, we have the responsibility to protect human rights and promote inclusivity and be a voice for the disadvantaged,” she said.
The festival, held under the theme ‘Clearing the air’ is expected to return next year in May for its third edition.
During the awards ceremony, Best Feature Film went to The Gunless Soldier a local film, Best Documentary Award went to Just as Good from Botswana and a local production The Scare scooped Best Short Film.
Best Director of Photography Award went to Jeffrey Zamora from Costa Rica while Best Director was Emma Okello from Uganda while Malawian actor Edwin Chonde received an honorary award for his contributions in the local film industry.
