Fama in capacity building drive

The Filmmakers Association of Malawi (Fama) has taken steps to improve quality of local movie productions and capacity of industry players by rolling out a capacity training project.

Fama and Don Bosco Youth Technical College have announced a partnership whereby the two institutions will offer capacity building training in filmmaking as they seek to solidify the foundations the industry has made so far.

Through the one-year long project, the partners will be offering a series of five-day intensive training sessions in film acting and video programmes and over 2 000 people from different experience backgrounds have been targeted as part of the initiative.

Communication from Fama signed by its general secretary Charles Levison shows that the training will focus on film components such as acting, camera operating, film editing and film production.

Fama president Gift ‘Sukez’ Sukali, in a separate interview, said the trainings are crucial to the film industry, which is still in its infancy stage.

“These trainings will give a chance to practitioners to have a technical know-how which you can’t otherwise develop on your own. It will enhance the professionalism and efficacy in the industry in the process creating jobs and well-trained personnel,” he said.

The president said for long they have had to contend with pleas from aspiring filmmakers and actors who otherwise have access to their own equipment and possess the passion but lack the professional insights to participate in the field.

Sukali said: “The demand has been there. A lot of people have been approaching us to help facilitate such trainings. They have untapped passion which they want to exploit and develop, they are also looking for such a chance.”

He said given the availability of resources, they will look to further spread the domestication of the trainings and have them held away from Don Bosco to increase access to other people.

Don Bosco’s job service manager Joseph Phelatu said they decided on exploiting the film production route after noticing the interest that the industry has generated of late.

“The interest that is there is very evident. As a training institution which has programmes targeting the youth we thought of engaging a professional body such as Fama to help bring a bit of sanity in the set-up,” he said.

The first cohort of trainers is expected to commence training from December 20. The programme will attract a participation fee of K10 000 for Fama membership, K20 000 for Don Bosco alumni and students and K30 000 for others.

As a way of promoting the participation of females in the male dominated industry, Fama and Don Bosco have agreed a 50 percent discount for all females wishing to participate in the training.n

Sukali (2nd L) and Levision (2nd R) after signing the agreement

HOWARD MLOZI

Correspondent

after its Nza Yahweh album.

“Women from this area walk long distances to access health services such as antenatal. Sadly, the majority is discouraged by the distance and end up shunning such vital services. As a result, this compromises their health. Therefore, we would like to contribute to women and children’s well being by building a clinic in this area,” said Zonda.

This is not the first charity initiative undertaken by The Great Angels Choir in the country. They have supported the construction of churches in Lilongwe and contributed to the welfare of pastors and needy students before.

Reacting to the news, the choir’s fans expressed delight with the plans.

Zecks Phiri wrote: “All the best Great Angels as you are looking for funds.”

The 20-member choir was established in 1980s. It started recording music in 2005 when they released their debut album Mundifungatile.

In all they have five albums, including Mundifungatile, Gwireni Dzanja (2007), Ndiyende Bwanji (2010), Mwasanka Ine (2014) and Ufumu Umodzi Sumaukilana to be released this month.n