Nyasaland experience awaits America

Joyce Chavula-Mhango’s movie Nyasaland has been selected for screening at the Silicon Valley African Film Festival in the United States of America.

The movie, Nyasaland; Tales of a Hyena, has also earned Chavula-Mhango a nomination at the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (Amvca) plus being accepted at Zimbabwe’s International Images Film Festival for Women (IIFF).

The filmmaker said the opportunity will help unlock numerous doors for her as a Malawian artist.

Chavula-Mhango said in an interview: “When I produced this movie, I wanted the world to see it with the hope that it will create the necessary dialogue as the film addresses the ills faced by African societies which are identical to Malawi.

“The festival is a big event whereby every year filmmakers from Africa and other parts of the world gather to sample works from the continent as they network.”

The Silicon Valley African Festival, headquartered in California, showcases works of seasoned and emerging filmmakers from Africa whose works reflect the true stories, hopes and dreams of Africa.

The award-winning local filmmaker believes the uniqueness of her story, which dwells on cultural practices done in some parts of Malawi such as kusasa fumbi, is what enabled her movie to earn the selection.

“The movie is based on real African events and lifestyles. It brings with it an amount of richness and depth which in itself is so captivating,” said Chavula-Mhango.

According to the official website, the festival was founded to confront the sad reality that after 50 years of post-colonial rule in Africa, most of Africa’s narrative is still presented through foreign lens which has resulted in blurred interpretations and perceptions of the continent and Africans.