A film industry sees hope

In a bid to promote local films, the country’s public media house Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has launched a new programme on its television (TV) station to show films done by Malawians every Saturday afternoon and Tuesday morning.

Head of programmes at MBC Hamilton Chimala in an e-mail response said the initiative is a backbone of the station’s dream to encourage local talent in film and video communication.

He said the programme is part of the Mwaswera, the TV’s magazine programme and is broadcast between 2pm and 4pm on Saturdays. It is repeated on Tuesday morning.

Honeymooners

, a film directed by Wellington Kuntaja is among the films that have already benefited from the programme.

We feel that for us to grow the communications sector, it is imperative to provide an outlet for that talent to help the viewers appreciate the talent available and perhaps solicit their comments to the quality of the productions,” he said.

Chimala said the development is similar to what brewed up to Nollywood in Nigeria and their quest drives to a dream when Malawi will have a movie label.

He said the programme wants to expose talent.

Currently, Chimala said, they are inviting all local filmmakers to submit their productions for the programme.

He, however, warned that they are strict on quality.

“We are very strict on the palatability of the material and productions being considered for broadcast in terms of the storyline to ensure the materials are culturally fitting, and conforms to all the basic production considerations,” he said, pointing out that Nollywood started with very poor quality films broadcast on Free to Air service and slowly improved to what it is now.

To achieve this, Chimala said his office has set up a section responsible for vetting quality, content and storylines.

But what do filmmakers feel about the development?

Chancy Mauluka, team leader for Theatre International, asks filmmakers to treat the gesture as a relief.

“It will promote the film industry because it will motivate both practising and non-practising artists to do to more. One factor that de-motivates people is to have their art shelved due to limited opportunities of exposure,” he said while urging arts bodies to support the idea and ensure the station is fed with good productions.

Film Association of Malawi (Fama) vice-president Ezaius Mkandawire says his office has welcomed the programme, especially because it gives opportunity to local filmmakers.

However, Mkandawire says his office wants to see modalities of making a win-win situation and make the initiative a bridge to success.

Mkandawire said his office wants to see the Malawi Censorship Board in full action in the project to ensure it achieves the intended purpose of uplifting the film industry.

He said this in reaction to fears that there are no strict measures to control materials that are broadcast to the public.

“The responsibility of controlling the materials broadcast on the station should start with the artists and censorship board. They need to classify the films. When that classification is done, it is the duty of the station to look at the time when such films can be telecast.

“For instance, films classified 18 should be screened late in the evening. This will also help parents monitor their homes to maintain the necessary viewership in terms of age,” he said.

Mkandawire also asks MBC to have clear terms of reference for the programme, saying it is in the interest of the country to see a vibrant film industry and media that makes filmmakers main beneficiaries.

“If filmmakers provide their films and they get watched by the nation, surely there must be a payment for that because the TV is run by taxpayers’ money, so issues to do with royalties must be respected to ensure that artists go back to studios to produce more,” he said while advising filmmakers to strive for quality productions.

Another concern is the sustainability of the programme considering the number of films produced so far.

“The sustainability of the programme depends on the interest of the producers and how much they think it is beneficial to them. We want more films,” said Chimala.