Film body to host Nigerian actors’ leader

The Film Association of Malawi (Fama) will host Actors Guild of Nigeria president Ejezie Emeka Rollas in a bid to create more opportunities for Malawi’s fledgling industry.

Fama president Ezaius Mkandawire said Rollas will in the course of his visit to Lilongwe from April 15 to 17 discuss with Malawian filmmakers the possibilities of co-productions.

“His visit will be mutually beneficial to film industries in both countries. For us, it will give our actors a wider exposure and widen the audience for local films since Nigerian actors already have a wide following in Africa and beyond.

“We also feel that it will enhance learning and capacity for Malawian filmmakers since Nigeria is far ahead in terms of the infrastructure they have built. On that note, we will borrow a leaf on how possible it was for them as an African country to advance in the film industry,” he said.

Mkandawire said through an interactive session, Malawian filmmakers will meet Rollas in Lilongwe on April 16.

The idea to host Rollas came about when he met multi-award winning Malawian filmmaker Shemu Joyah in Kigali, Rwanda, during the 2018 edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

“Following the preliminary discussions, it was agreed that Rollas should visit Malawi and meet with the Filmmakers Association of Malawi for more detailed discussions,” said Joyah.

The Actors Guild of Nigeria is an umbrella union that regulate and represent the affairs of film actors in the country and abroad. With almost 250 000 members, Rollas has been the guild’s president since August 2017.

Nigeria is a leading film producer on the African continent with an industry named Nollywood that spans over 30 years.

Over the years, the Nigerian industry has collaborated with countries such as Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania which has led to the growth of the same as well as Nollywood promoting actors from such countries.