Filmmakers want support during festival
Filmmakers in the country have appealed to the corporate world to support their first ever Malawi Film Festival slated for November this year’s.
Film Association of Malawi (Fama) president Gift ‘Sukezi’ Sukali made the call on Tuesday in Lilongwe when Fama announced its partnership with the National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Department of Arts under the Ministry of Tourism to organise the festival.
Currently, Malawian film makers rely on the European Film Festival to showcase their works.
“The Malawi Film Festival is a huge event that is not only looking at promoting the country’s film industry, but also creating jobs for the film makers. Filmmaking has potential to create employment and that is why we have partnered the National Planning Commission to execute this big project together.
“Therefore, we are calling for more organisations and companies to partner us to organise the festival,” said Sukali.
He said during the festival film makers will undergo a two-day workshop in film making.
On his part, NPC public relations and communications manager Thom Khanje said the Malawi Film Festival is in line with the country’s Malawi 2063 plan.
“The event is one way of promoting the arts industry as one of the tools through which Malawi can preserve and promote its culture, attract tourists, create jobs and generate inclusive wealth which is in line with the MW2063,” he said.
A representative of the Department of Arts Evelyn Chikoko said the government recognises the potential of the film industry to create jobs, especially for the youth.
The festival will be held under the theme Film Making for Socio-Economic Growth and Preservation of Culture.
