By Isaac Salima:
The 2023 Focus on Ability Film Festival, led by Focus on Ability Society (Foas) and Nova Employment of Australia, took place Sunday at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas) campus in Blantyre, where awards were presented to outstanding people.
The awards came after the audience sampled some of the films at the festival.
Two top films (selected by professional judges in Australia) walked away with $500 each and these are Kulumala Sikulephera by Sellina Dumbula from Mibawa Television and The Last Stone by Lester Banda.
Two best actors (people with disability) also walked away with $250 each and these are Smart Vinti in the movie The Smart Artist and Tapiwa Kamanga in the film Ndizotheka.
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Kamanga, who is also a model and has been modelling in the All Shades of Beautiful Fashion, could not hide her excitement with the award.
“I did not see this coming. I am excited. I do a lot of things, apart from modelling and, so, persons with disability out there should not underrate themselves,” she said.
Now in its seventh edition, the festival also gave out other awards which went to Makande Model Primary School and Kasungu Film Collective for submitting four films each. They went away with K100,000 each.
The other award went to Phillip Kuipa for his submission of three films to the festival. He went away with K50,000.
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The Times Group Arts Journalist Sam Banda Jnr scooped the Best Focus on Ability Journalist for playing a greater role in bringing awareness to people about the festival and also the abilities of persons with disability through the platforms of radio, television, online and print. He went away with K100,000.
Foas Executive Director MacDonald Nyirenda said the festival screened short films produced by the country’s filmmakers showcasing abilities, skills and achievements of people with disability in the country.
He said they were excited with the journey they have travelled with the festival.
“We have been consistent since 2017. The participation has improved greatly and awareness on the abilities of persons with disability is increasing,” Nyirenda said.
He said they would want to have more awards but are restricted by resources and called upon players to partner them.
Executive Director for Malawi Council for the Handicapped (Macoha) George Chiusiwa hailed Foas for the festival, describing it as unique.
“This is a platform aimed at teaching people about the abilities of persons with disabilities and their rights and the importance of inclusiveness,” Chiusiwa said.
He said the festival also brought together stakeholders to network and share ideas on how to help persons with disabilities.
Apart from the local event, there are international awards that will be held on November 5 2023 in Sydney, Australia, and local filmmakers are eligible to win.
Focus on Ability Festival was founded in 2009 with a belief in the ability of people with disability, and the goal of bringing that belief to the world through the medium of film.
The festival was spiced up by activities such as music.
