Malawi Film Festival returns for 2nd edition
By Emmanuel Simpokolwe
Film Association of Malawi (Fama) Monday announced that the second edition of the two-day Malawi Film Festival will be held on November 24 through to November 25 2023 at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.
The second edition follow’s Fama’s successful execution of the inaugural edition last year which was graced by several players in the film industry including renowned Zambian actor Mutale Monde better known as Mr Nguzu, who stars in Zambezi Magic show soapie Mpali.
The association has since called upon filmmakers in the country to submit their movies for the festival to run under the theme ‘Unveiling Untold Stories of Mother Malawi’.
Fama President Gift Sukez Sukali said during a press briefing that time has come for Malawian filmmakers to start telling their stories and not wait for people from outside to do it.
“Our stories can be well told by us, we have so many stories out there,” Sukali said.
He said this year they would want to do it better compared to last year hence beginning their preparations in good time.
“We encountered challenges last year because it was the first edition but we learnt lessons and now we want to do it better this year,” the Fama President said.
He said that the association will conduct trainings in Mzuzu, Lilongwe and Blantyre to equip filmmakers with knowledge and skills that will enable them to produce good and quality films for the festival.
“As we go forward we want to make the festival better and one of the ways to do that is to engage filmmakers through trainings. The country is rich in terms of culture and this can only be exposed to the world through films and other art disciplines,” Sukali said.
Chief Arts Officer Responsible for Development and Promotion in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Qipase Maulidi said the film industry in the country, if well nurtured, can positively contribute to the social economic development of the country.
She said time has come for Malawians to work hard in the arts and creative industry to put the country on the map.
Maulidi further said the film industry creates jobs as it involves a lot of sectors including, transportation, hospitality, technicians and designers among others.
“Film industry is like a strategic sector and as a department, we are proud of this festival which widens the base for the creative sector,” she said.
Fama held the first edition in partnership with National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Department of Arts, who are also the current main partners.
