The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Life Reporter
ZIYANDA Film Project is promising to host a series of events to promote the much anticipated movie, which will be epitomised by a star studded occasion featuring artistes from South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Katlego Danke and Luthuli Dlamini, who both play major roles in the Ziyanda feature film, are expected to jet into the country on 29 July for the events.
Film director and international life coach, trainer and motivational speaker Dr Thando Sibanda, will also grace his motherland from his base in South Africa.
Dlamini and Danke’s expected visit to Zimbabwe are part of the film projects objective of promoting cultural exchange, skills transfer, profiling of local artistes and marketing Zimbabwe and in particular Bulawayo as a film destination.
“The Ziyanda Film Project will go beyond just producing a film but ensuring that local film actors and producers are able to connect with world renowned actors, such as Dlamini and Danke,” said Dumisani Nyongolo Nkomo, the executive producer of the project.
In line with the objective of imparting acting skills to local actors, a film actor’s workshop will be held on 28 July at Victory Fellowship Church.
“Film director Thando Sibanda will take emerging film actors through their paces, exploring topics such as the film business, behind the camera, acting skills, interpreting scripts and life skills for actors. This will be the second film actor’s workshop to be conducted by the Ziyanda Film Project, after the 2014 workshop facilitated by America-based Zintle Ncipa,” said Nkomo.
He said further auditions to fill in some slots in the movie will be held on 29 July.
“In addition to the likes of Nyasha Mtamangira, Bekithemba Sibanda, Amanda Huni, Fortune Jean Mguni, Thabo Ntaisi, Lindelwe Sibanda, Zibusiso Ncube and a swathe of celebrities we expect to have more people casted into the movie. The galaxy of stars includes former Miss Zimbabwe Lorraine Maphala, Ziyanda Brand Ambassador Arthur Evans, socialite Babongile Sikhonjwa and radio presenter Andrew Tambanewako.
“‘Ziyanda also wants to identify other talented individuals who may not have had an opportunity to be part of this great venture, which promises to be one of the biggest films ever produced in Zimbabwe,” said Nkomo.
He said the evening of 29 July will be headlined by Danke, Dlamini, Evans and Dr Sibanda.
“Filming is expected to start in October in Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Matopos and South Africa. Parallel events such as up skilling workshops for film actors and producers, fashion shows and social responsibility outreach by the galaxy of stars will be conducted during the shooting.
“The week end is a dress rehearsal of the actual shooting month, which will turn Bulawayo into a film city and village for actors to interact and build their profiles. Marketing Bulawayo and Zimbabwe as a tourist and film destination will be underscored when the city hosts international film stars in October,” said Nkomo.
The Ziyanda film is expected to feature several other top actors both local and international, as the film positions itself to be an international blockbuster.
“Already one international film distributor has expressed interest in the film and as executive producer has always said the film process will and does take time and we would rather ‘measure twice and cut once’ rather than rush to produce a substandard product, which will be unable to compete internationally. The objective is to produce content that can compete internationally, not a film product which will attract sympathy because it is a local product,” added Nkomo.
