Six local productions are set to be recognised at the inaugural Studio N40 Film Festival in Lilongwe.
The films are part of the 10 movies to be screened at an event set for Golden Peacock on Friday night.
Studio N40 Festival founder Thokozani Zilowereza says the films will receive awards for best film, second best story, innovative film, best actor and actresses as well as honarory awards.
“The festival will be happening twice in a year; mid and end of year. It is aimed at recognising the talent in the Malawi film industry,” he said in an interview.
He said: “The event is more of a launch of a programme. It’s aim is to identify hidden talents in the film industry and promotion of local film makers to have a feel of how best they can improve their productions as they see what others are doing.
“It will also be awarding those who have done well in their films where a nomination of three movies will be done and the best will be picked for further improvement in our studios and then be sent to international film festivals.”
Zilowereza stated that the honorary awards will recognise an individual who has done exceptionally well in the industry.
“This will be someone who has done a remarkable and innovative production within the submitted movies under scrutiny at the festival,” he said.
A judges panel led by Ian Chisekula, will also include a representative from HD Plus and the other two, will be looking at a number of things in coming up with winners.
“The films have to be within 30 to 45 minutes long, story must be easily defined and followed, cinematography, innovation within the film, the cultural aspect of the movie and must adhere to the fact that it addresses matters of life,” he said.
Commenting on the film festival, actress-cum-filmmaker Brenda Mselu said the coming of the initiative is an encouragement to the fledgling movie industry in Malawi.
She said: “First and foremost it is an entire motivation to the film industry in the country. We are well aware that actors and actresses dont get much recognition as the music industry does. So, these awards will be a major stepping stone to the film industry
“It’s a motivation to film makers and actors in Malawi because it wakes us up to work hard and give a chance to network plus people will appreciate more the effort that film makers and actors are putting in to build the industry.”
The 10 films to be screened are Tadala, Dengu, Bitter Sweet, Privacy, Confessions, Wages of Sin, Choice, Gwafa wa Pachimbudzi, Text and Respect.
