Local actors given chance to feature on Africa Magic

Ever dreamt of starring in a film alongside a popular Nollywood actor Majid Michel?

The chance is finally here as digital satellite television (DStv) popular channel Africa Magic has challenged up-and-coming African actors to submit video clips or attend auditions for selection. This comes as part of Africa Magic 10th anniversary celebrations.

According to Multichoice Malawi, Africa Magic has embarked on a programme to shoot a film that will feature Ghanaian Majid as guest actor and artists from African countries where the channel is beamed.

The 33-year-old Majid has starred in many films and has so far won 23 Hollywood awards and 53 additional Africa awards. He has also been nominated several times for the African Movie Academy Awards.

“Africa Magic will clock 10 years this December and it wants to celebrate with all countries that watch Africa Magic channels. To achieve this, they want the countries to submit video clips of their best actors to be screened to produce a team of actors to perform with Majid,” said Multichoice Malawi sales and marketing manager Chimwemwe Nyirenda.

He said apart from  allowing all countries to try their chance, the movie channel has also asked countries to submit short video clips that carry messages about the channel in line with the celebrations and the congratulatory messages will be played on the Africa Magic channels.

“Most Malawians cannot shoot and upload their videos, we have organised auditions to take place in Blantyre and Lilongwe. We will have cameras to shoot their best film cast which we will submit to Africa Magic for final selection. During the time, we will also be shooting short messages about Africa Magic to be played on the channel,” he said.

Nyirenda said they will be at Chichiri Shopping Mall and Multichoice offices in Namiwawa in Blantyre on October 24 and October 26 respectively.

On October 31 and November 2, 2013, they will be in Lilongwe at Game Stores and Multichoice offices respectively.

All video clips are supposed to be submitted to Africa Magic on November

29 and the winners will be announced on December 6, 2013.

According to Nyirenda, winners will meet in Lagos, Nigeria, where they will be joined by Majid to shoot the movie.

The movie and the messages will be filmed repeatedly on Africa Magic channels between January 1 and March 31, 2014.

Africa Magic was founded in December 2003.

Film Association of Malawi (Fama) presid

ent Eazius Mkandawire has since asked film actors in the country to take advantage of the opportunity, saying they stand a chance to be selected.

He said Malawi has quality actors that can compete effectively and get selected.

“In terms of professionalism, Malawi is at par with countries such as Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Ghana and we have many actors who are better than those we watch daily in Nollywood movies.

“As Fama, we are convinced that we have a good crop that can do well and we expect to see some being picked for the movie or their clips being played on Africa Magic channels,” he said.

Mkandawire, however, urged the actors to give their best during the auditions, saying should they make it, they will expose Malawian films and it will be a breakthrough for the country to the international film industry.

Nollywood movies are dominated by Nigerian and Ghanaian actors.