Kamkwamba scores another first

Malawian William Kamkwamba, who became an instant global superstar after he built a power-generating windmill from scraps and effectively rescued his family from famine and poverty, is hitting global headlines again, but this time in another role – as a film star.

In defence of Malawi arts

With only a few months before the country’s next general elections (May 2014), some Malawian artists have frustration written all over their faces. They believe current Members of Parliament (MPs) who belong to the art world are the biggest time wasters.

Reason? "The MPs never advance artists’ cause when they are in the august House. These are the people who should understand local artists’ plight better," so goes the discourse.

The death of comic strips

Adventures of Tintin, Asterix and Oberix, Mavel comics and DC comics might have influenced the boom of comic strip series in most local magazines in the 1970s to 90s in Malawi.

Awaiting ankolo Layi

It’s been seven years since Ankolo Layi rocked the country with a promising album, but was he just another one-hit wonder?

Wednesday around 10am—a tap at the studio entrance mixes with a music breeze escaping soundproofed cubicles of Audio Clinic in Naperi, Blantyre.

Agorosso: Little strummed hero

He has seen it all and once, he had plans. Today, he affirms those plans have turned into nothing.

"There was a time I had plans. But those plans have been frustrated. Today, my plans are turned to wishes but I know some day, they will materialise," said 35-year-old Agorosso.

Drought of Malawi soaps

Lack of funding has haunted filmmaking in Malawi and television production has not been spared either.

The country’s locally produced soap operas, Mama’s Restaurant andSweep, could not be sustained due to lack of funding, leaving a vacuum in the soap opera business.

Whither drama patronage

Before the referendum that ushered in multiparty politics, drama was the best form of family entertainment on offer in the country, way before gospel shows became the order of the day.

Crumbs for Malawi music

Foreign artists have come and gone, millions of kwacha externalised. Yet, little has been done to push Malawian artists to another level, to strike a mark in other countries.

Hoping for AMAA awards

Tonight’s events in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital in Nigeria can rewrite history of the hitherto obscure Malawi’s movie industry as the continent marks the ninth edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

Last Fishing Boat gets 5 AMAA nominations

Shemu Joyah’s movie, The Last Fishing Boat, has received five out of 25 nominations in the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) following an announcement by a jury during the nomination gala on Friday.

This is the second time Malawi has received AMAA nominations. In 2010, another of Joya’s films, Seasons of a Life, received 10 nominations, but only won three awards.