Actress and filmmaker Flora Suya has earned another feat with her second movie Dear Pen Pal following its selection to screen at the 2019 Nepal African Film Festival (Naff).
The film is among 25 other movies from across the African continent after it satisfied a panel of selectors. The event, slated for November 2 to 4, will also feature films from Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, Egypt, Nepal, Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The selection of the film for Naff follows another recognition after it was also nominated to screen at the Silicon Valley African Film Festival in the United States of America (USA).
Suya submitted the movie in June this year in response to a call by Naff organisers for African film producers to have their productions enlisted for the event.
In an interview, she said she is delighted with the selection of her movie as it will give her an opportunity to network with film industry players from other countries and open doors for collaborations in her future projects.
She said: “Such recognition comes with a lot of advantages. Already, I am in talks with a filmmaker from Ghana who has expressed interest to direct my next movie. These kinds of strides only serve to enforce your reputation in the industry.”
Suya said she failed to make it to USA for the Silicon Valley African Film Festival as her newborn child is still young. She, however, said she is happy for the interest that her second movie production has attracted.
“It shows that my hard work and passion for filmmaking is bearing fruits. I am motivated to do more,” she said.
The Naff was first organised in 2011 by the College of Journalism and Mass Communication (CJMC) in Nepal to provide an unbiased and integrated presentation of the African continent in Nepal.
According to information on www.napalafricafilmfestival.com, out of the 53 countries in Africa, only South Africa and Egypt have representation in Nepal.
After mainly starring as both a stage and film actress, Suya’s career as a film director appears to have taken off on a high note. Her debut production My Mother’s Story won the Achievement in Feature Narrative Award at Silicon Valley African Film Festival in 2016.
