Focus on Ability Short Film Festival which is led by Focus on Ability Society (Foas) in collaboration with Nova Employment took place for the first time in Lilongwe with a number of films walking away with prizes.
Having been held in Blantyre in its previous editions, the event stood out attracting several people, which included filmmakers.
Foas Executive Director MacDonald Nyirenda said Monday they were excited to hold the event that aims at breaking barriers for people with disability to fully participate in society, in the capital city.
He also commended filmmakers for taking up a lead role to showcase talents of people with disabilities and at the same time tell stories of their challenges.
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“We will keep pushing; we want to make this festival big. We have been encouraged once again this year and we cannot wait for 2025 and come out with more awards,” Nyirenda said.
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“This year has also been a success because we had the Australian High Commission coming in with prizes,” Nyirenda added.
The awards saw the Best Short Film Award going to Mphatso Ngwira for Picture Perfect with Petience Galatiya coming top as the person with ability with Daniel Mapando coming second.
The Best Documentary accolade went to Tinnah Kumwenda for I Can.
The two top films walked away with $ 500 each and the two best actors (people with disability) pocketed $ 250 each.
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Bornface Kachiza and team got first position for most entries for films such as Breaking Hurdles and Brush of Kindness and walked away with K200,000 whereas the second position for most entries went to The Kasungu Film Collective with three entries.
Apart from the main prizes, the Australian High Commission also awarded four bags of gifts packed with school learning materials and sports equipment, among others, to four winners from the performances on the event served by school children with disability.
Meanwhile, Nyirenda has said that having done the local contest, now Malawian filmmakers can also look forward with hope to the international contest where Malawi submitted a total of 26 entries.
The international awards will be held on September 29 2024 in Sydney, Australia.
Based in Australia, this year’s Focus on Ability Short Film Festival has received 118 international entries from 20 different countries.
Last year, Malawi entered the festival with 31 entries, with one film making it in the top five.
This year’s festival boasts an impressive prize pool of over $100,000AUD, recognising excellence in short films and documentaries.
The awards up for grabs at international level include Judges Choice – Official Selection Short Film Winner, Judges Choice – Official Selection Documentary Winner, Most International Online Votes Winner with all the three categories pocketing $5,000 AUD cash prize each as well as other additions.
Musician Teddy Makadi is expected to perform at the festival.
