ZIFF calls for film commission

21 Dec, 2014 - 00:12 0 Views

The Sunday News

THE Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) has called for the establishment of a film commission in the country saying its absence has impacted negatively on the creation of a structured film industry and as a result the country has remained behind in producing films for the local and international market.

ZIFF executive director Nigel Munyati made the remarks on Thursday ahead of the Bulawayo edition of ZIFF 2014, which kicked off on Friday.

Munyathi said the film commission or board would come in handy as it would be responsible for the overall co-ordination of film activities in the country while also mobilising resources for the industry, which is on the downturn.

He said in other countries such bodies have been the springboard towards successful film industries.

The festival ends tomorrow with a showing at Ibumba festival which also closes on the same day.

“Such a body can be an avenue for raising funds for the industry from various players such as Government, the private sector and non-governmental organisations.

“It could be able to provide financial assistance through funding half the production costs of a film and should also promote the film industry within and outside the country,” said Munyati.

He said the country was in the early 1980s a boon for foreign filmmakers, including those from Hollywood who came into the country to make productions such as King Solomon’s Mines, The Power of One and Cry Freedom among other international films that were shot in the country.

“Zimbabwe’s film industry can gain a lot through having foreigners coming to shoot their films here. We have great scenery in the country such as Matopos, Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe that can attract filmmakers and one of the roles of the film board would be to market Zimbabwe outside the country.

“Such productions will not only gain revenue for the country but would empower artistes and film practitioners, create employment and develop the film industry as a whole,” added Munyati, who is also the founder of the film festival.

The festival took its act to the high density suburbs of the city with film writing workshops being held at Salukazi Arts Centre in Njube, Cowdray Park at the terminus and at Nkulumane Hall near Sekusile Shopping Centre.

Priscilla Sithole-Ncube the director of Ibhayisikopo Film Project, which is partnering ZIFF in organising the film showcase, said showings were taken to all the corners of the city with screenings having taken place in the Central Business District, Njube, Stanley Square, Makokoba and Cowdray Park.

Today will see the screening of several short films from Bulawayo-based producers, a Nigerian film, Sodiq and The New World from Netherlands at the Jason Moyo Street Mall.

A documentary on the late Mozambican President, Samora Machel, Camarada Presidente, which Sithole-Ncube said was not a film to miss, and Miners Shot Down (South Africa) will be aired tomorrow at Ibumba Festival.

There are no entry charges for all the screenings.

Other films that were aired include Nairobi Half Life (Kenya), Sour Milk (Zimbabwe), Welcome to Ekusile, Stone Cars (USA/SA) and Hush (Barbados).

The theme for this year’s festival is “Universal African” and Munyati said it was aimed at encouraging Africa to celebrate the success of its sons and daughters who have made their mark in the film industry across the world.

He said actors such as Oscar winning actress, Lupita Nyong’o, Zimbabwe’s Danai Gurira and Arnold Chirisa were making strides in the international film industry hence it was the right time to celebrate the achievements of these Africans although there was still a lot to be done to improve the local film industry.

“We have talented actors locally but because of frustration and lack of clear opportunities being presented by the industry they are taking their talent beyond our borders, where they are making a mark,” he said.

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