M-Theatres to screen local movies

M-Theatres, the country’s cinema company, plans to start screening local movies beginning this month, according to proprietor Sunduzwayo Jere.

In an interview, Jere said the idea has been stimulated by the potential of the local film industry.

“With the festival we are hosting now, we have just discovered that Malawi has abundant hidden talent and quality movies. We have just discovered this through the submissions.

“So we want to start showcasing the local movies this month all the way to September to ensure that Malawian films enjoy the thrill of cinema experience,” said Jere.

M-Theatres has screened Tawonga Nkhonjera’s Be’lla, Sponge directed by Chaz and Elson Kambalu’s Mlandu Wa Njinga before; hence, the screening of local movies is an extension to this.

As a way to re-organising the local movie industry, which is otherwise known as Mollywood, M-Theatres has embarked on a project to host Malawi Film Festival and Awards aimed at recognising its players.

The festival is scheduled for September 30 at M-Theatres situated at Chichiri Shopping Mall (Game Stores underground Car Park) in Blantyre.

Jere said M-Theatres is currently receiving overwhelming response for its Malawi Film Festival project.

“The submissions that we have received so far speak volumes of the local talents that is why we want to start screening local content which Malawi has never seen before,” he said, adding that there is support for the local film industry.

There are local films that are gathering dust partly because the owners cannot afford to book venues such as M-Theatres to screen their movies there.

Asked how they will help out in this predicament, Jere said they will partner with film makers.

Commenting on the development, one of the country’s renowned actors Tawonga Nkhonjera, said the business aspect is key to ensuring that both filmmakers and owners of M-Theatres benefit at the end of the day. n