‘Black Panther’ star graces European Film Festival
South Africa’s award-win actress, Connie Chiume, who has Malawian roots, over the weekend graced the European Film Festival held in Lilongwe.
Chiume, who starred in Black Panther and also as Mamokete in popular soapie Rhythm City underscored the need for the government to support the film industry for it to grow.
Director of Arts in the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture, Humphrey Mpondaminga, said the ministry was discussing with development partners to support skills development for the country’s filmmakers.
“For this year, we look forward to send Malawian filmmakers to other countries so that they learn. We also want to improve skills of filmmakers through local initiatives such as national arts academy project,” Mpondaminga said.
Some of the films screened during the festival include Going South, by visual artist and filmmaker Elson Kambalu.
The film is honouring those who leave home in search of greener pastures.
“As a filmmaker, occasions like these provide me an opportunity to learn and to give. I am really excited to share a story that I hope
will resonate with many Malawians, and anyone who’s ever left home in search of work,” Kambalu said.
The other films screened during the festival were King of the Belgian from directors Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth.
On the sidelines of the festival, there were workshops on production, financing, and marketing for filmmakers invited from all over Malawi.
Spearheaded by the European Union (EU), the festival gave film lovers a a feast of movies from Malawi and Europe.
The festival which is also expected to be held in Blantyre next weekend started on Friday and ended on Saturday.
Speaking at the start of the festival, EU Head of Delegation in Malawi, Sandra Paesen, said EU is committed to support Malawi’s growing film industry through the festival.
Paesen said through visual storytelling, Europeans and Malawians can connect on a deeper level as themes in films show shared values and offer cultural understanding between people.
“Europe, just like Malawi, is about unity in diversity. Through this first film festival, we celebrate cultural diversity and a commitment to talk about things that really matter to people—from family relationships to survival and the hardships of life.
“Culture is critical for any nation to strive and I am happy to see so much Malawian talent represented at this festival, next to established European movies,” Paesen said.
