Blantyre’s turn for European Film Fest
After its official opening last weekend at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe, the European Film Festival moves to Jacaranda Cultural Centre (JCC) in Blantyre Saturday.
The screenings in Lilongwe saw the presence of South African award-winning actress Connie Chiume, who has Malawian roots.
However, she will not be present during the screenings at JCC.
JCC said they were happy to host the European Film Festival which will bring people an entire day of film art and movies to be enjoyed without any ticket costs.
The screenings will feature full-length feature films of European origin as well as Malawian short films.
The European Film Festival is being spearheaded by European Union (EU).
Ambassador for EU Delegation in Malawi, Sandra Paesen, said only South Africa and Malawi were selected for the edition.
“We are very proud that some Malawian short films never seen in Malawi have that chance and at the same time demonstrating local talent could be part of the festival,” Paesen said.
She said during the festival in Lilongwe, she met actors and directors, who have been yearning for such occasions and they have been fighting to tell their stories.
“Talent was amazing. We want to reach to the hearts of Malawians as EU, have a real dialogue, unspoken and filmic. We want to enter into their narrative. Our European films were equally awesome. Award winning ones,” Paesen said.
She however, could not commit on whether the festival would be held next year, saying money might be an issue.
One of the filmmakers from Brazil, Iara Lee, who is set to show her film, said she was looking forward to the best and called on people to come in large numbers.
