Film Association of Malawi (Fama) says it plans to shift towards sustainable financing as it seeks to strengthen its long-term operations and organisational stability following resolutions made at its Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Held on Saturday in Lilongwe, the AGM provided the association’s members an opportunity to engage directly with the leadership and seek clarification on matters affecting the association’s operations and direction of the association.
Speaking in an interview after the half day meeting, Fama president Dorothy Kingston said while the organisation has benefitted alot from sponsor support, it is important to build internal revenue streams to ensure stability.
“We have received funds from sponsors and managed to use that money to support some of our operations. However, we want to move in a direction where we are also able to generate income to run the association without depending on sponsorship,” she said.
But Kingston clarified that the new direction does not signal an end to partnerships and external support but a move to ensure finacial sustainability for the association.
“It doesn’t mean we will stop applying for grants or sponsorships, but we must also have revenue-generating activities that allow us, as an association, to function, plan and implement our programmes independently,” she said.
Kingston said the executive committee has already outlined possible income-generating activities but stressed that the ideas are not final, as members’ input remains central to the process.
“This is a member-based association, so inclusivity matters. We have set aside a day where we will hear from members and get their views on what they think we can do to generate revenue,” she said.
Kingston also said that the association is considering constitutional amendments, noting that the current constitution restricts the association from undertaking certain activities.
“We will also be looking at amending the constitution because the current one limits us from doing some of the things that could help the Association grow financially,” she said.
Reflecting on her tenure, Kingston said the progress made so far has given the executive confidence to pursue bolder reforms.
The meeting also served as a platform for the president oand the executive committee to present official reports to the members outlining the association’s activities, achievements and financial standing.
Despite progress made, the meeting also indicated some of the challenges the association faced, including limited long-term sponsorship agreements, inadequate funding for regional chapters and dilays in disbursement of pledged support from partners.
Meanwhile, Fama member Phil Kuipa Phiri, who attended the AGM, said the meeting was necessary.
“This AGM was needed because it helped put things into perspective, especially where the association is coming from,” he said.
