After drawing crowds during its local premieres in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu, producers of Welcome to Maula Prison are taking the movie to the international scene with a launch in South Africa on June 7.
It will mark the first time a locally produced movie is premiered outside the country.
4Kaya Films spokesperson Desiree Namachotsa said in an interview that promoters in South Africa and Malawians living there approached them to have the movie premiered in Johannesburg.
“Initially, we did not plan this, but South Africans requested us to premiere the movie there. Malawians living in South Africa also want a chance to see the movie to support it,” she said.
According to Namatchotsa, the team will travel to South Africa with support from the organisers who have provided a limited number of tickets. However, she said they are still looking for sponsors to help cover travel expenses for the remaining cast members.
She added that the opportunity to do an international premiere will pave the way for filmmakers that the possibilities are vast.
“This means so much for the team and shows that we belong on the international market. There are many opportunities for us out there,” said Namachotsa.
In a separate interview, renowned filmmaker Charles Shemu Joyah described the move as a turning point for the local film industry.
“I have previously tried to do the same with my productions and it is very difficult. This is commendable and shows that as an industry, we are going in the right direction,” he said.
Joyah said financial investment into the industry is crucial to build on the momentum.
“When there is no financial support, momentum goes down. This is the time we need financial support so that filmmakers can take advantage of,” he said.
Film Association of Malawi (Fama) president Dorothy Kingston said the development is an indication that the local industry is going in the right direction.
“This is what we are pushing for as an industry; to put our local content on the international market. As much as we have a lot of productions, it is hard to break through and this is good for Welcome to Maula Prison team and the entire local film industry,” she said.
The premiere will take place at The New Factory in Johannesburg while plans for a similar event in Cape Town are yet to be finalised.
The film follows the success of School Days, another 4Kaya Films production that was released in 2023 which also gained popularity.
Produced by 4Kaya Films, the movie explores life behind bars, offering a raw and emotional look at the realities of prison life at Maula Prison in Lilongwe.
Produced by 4Kaya Films, the movie explores life behind bars, offering a raw and emotional look at the realities of prison life at Maula Prison in Lilongwe.
The production was funded by the Universal Service Fund under the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority.
