Filmmakers in the country have a chance of winning in this year’s Focus on Ability (Foa) Film Festival on the international scene, with 30 movies out of 97 entries coming from Malawi.
A press statement says that this year’s Foa Festival had 97 international films from 21 countries and that, among these, 30 entries are from Malawi.
Foas Executive Director MacDonald Nyirenda said the festival is there to promote abilities and achievements of people with disability.
He further said the country has made progress as last year it submitted 26 films.
The country will be seeking to break another record following its triumph last year, when Martin Mkandawire won AU$5,000 approximately K2.9 million) at international level in the best short film category.
Mkandawire won with a film titled Under Heavy Rock which delves into the story of Lilongwe-based veteran visual artist and former Visual Arts Association of Malawi (Vaam) President Chrisford Chayera.
“On the local level, four winners were awarded cash prizes,” Nyirenda said.
Meanwhile, voting has opened today and will run up to August 16 2021.
Focus on Ability Society (Foas) in collaboration with Nova Employment spearheads the festival, which calls on people to vote for their favourite film and documentary for this year.
The statement says Foa is designed to encourage filmmakers to focus on the ability of people with disability and this year the festival is celebrating 13 years on the international level and fifth year on the local scene.
“This year, the winner of the international short film and documentary sections will receive $5,000 AUD cash courtesy of EY. There is also a great prize for most online votes,” Nyirenda said.
He called on people in the country to get behind Malawi films and vote, adding that they could win $5,000 AUD for most online votes.
He said Malawian films also have chance of grabbing local prizes.
Nyirenda said two top films will walk away with US$500 each and two best actors will go home with $250 each.
He said voting can be done on their website http://www.focusonability.com.au/.
