US-based Malawian gets Emmy awards nomination
United States of America-based Malawian actor Victor Kamwendo has made history by clinching an Emmy nomination, thanks to the series that he produced titled Playing Fields.
The series has been nominated for the Outstanding Long Feature Award in the 45th Sports Emmy awards for its episode titled Ornella.
In an interview, Kamwendo said he was in disbelief when the communication about the nomination came.
He said: “I did the project with the Olympic Channel and alongside our studio XTR.
“The six-part documentary series is an inspirational series which showcases a new generation of African athletes, each with triumphs and strengths, hopes and dreams to excel in their sport and reveal the truth of what makes an Olympic hero.”
Kamwendo said they shot the series in six countries in 37 days.
He did the series as a producer alongside Emmy-nominated producer Danielle Blevins and Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning director David Darg.
“We wanted to showcase the beauty of Africa, the cultures and traditions. We wanted to show how beautiful and how cinematic Africa really is, but also tell these unique stories by uplifting the continent,” he said.
Kamwendo said he was inspired to produce the series to change the negative perspective about Africa.
“Being the first Malawian to be nominated for an Emmy is truly humbling and it opens a new layer of endless possibilities that my team and I are ready to capitalise on,” he said.
Kamwendo is a Malawian actor who settled in the United States at a younger age. He is a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in performing arts. Kamwendo starred in local movie Misnomer, written and directed by Chawezi Munthali.
On his part, Munthali praised Kamwendo for the achievement, describing it as historical.
He said: “It is historical. He put in a lot of work in this project and it has paid off. This is just the beginning for him. This nomination should be celebrated by every Malawian. I am so proud of this young man.”
The Emmy Awards are annual presentations presented to outstanding creatives made by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
The main awards ceremony will take place on May 21 in the USA.
