Dikamawoko Arts in film production training

Local aspiring filmmakers have a chance to be drilled in basics of film production through a training workshop  organised by Dikamawoko Arts and Nyasa Films International. 

The three-week training workshop, to take place from June 24 at Jacaranda Cultural Centre (JCC) in Blantyre, will see participants receive training in documentary production, short films, script writing, cinematography, directing and sound production.

In an interview, one of the lead organisers of the training workshop, Dikamawoka Arts director Tawonga Nkhonjera said their intention is to offer hands-on training in the production of documentaries and action films.

He said: “We have engaged professional tutors to lead the lessons. Our idea is to champion the production of local quality film content by providing professional training in filmmaking.”

Participants will pay  K60 000, which Nkhonjera described as reasonable.

“As part of the package, we offer them insights in film business, we facilitate the participation of their productions in international film festivals and we also provide support in the projects they undertake after the training,” he said.

Since 2013 when the project started, some of the names that have benefited from the trainings include Chimwemwe Mkwezalamba who won the best emerging director at the Silicon Valley African Festival.

JCC arts and education programmes manager Constance Thyangathyanga said they have always been open to introduce theatre related content both for stage and film to expand their reach in arts.

JCC director Luc Deschamps said they are thrilled to host the workshop.

“In July we will be launching a theatre and film series with the same goal of giving a platform to local filmmakers,” he said.

One of the former students of the project Bright Makina, in a separate interview said he owes his path into the film industry to the lessons he learnt during the training as far back as 2015.