MultiChoice oils LL Shorts Film Festival
MultiChoice Malawi on Wednesday announced that they have come in to sponsor the Lilongwe Shorts Film Festival which debuts this year through DStv.
The festival which is being organised by Lake of Stars organisers led by founder Will Jameson starts today at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe and will end tomorrow.
MultiChoice Malawi Sales and Marketing Manager Chimwemwe Nyirenda said they are happy to be part of the sponsors.
“As MultiChoice Malawi we want to be part of the growth of the film industry in the country. We want Malawi to produce quality movies and so we realised that the festival is an important platform to showcase those movies hence coming in through DStv which also has several platforms showcasing movies,” he said.
MultiChoice last year also spearheaded a project which saw producers from South Africa coming to Malawi to train film makers and other artists involved in video production so as to improve the quality of movies and music videos.
The country has for the past years failed to have its movies and music videos on DStv platforms particularly Africa Magic and music channels like Channel O and MTV Base.
Many artists have cried foul saying they have been sending their materials but they do not see the light of the day.
Nyirenda then hinted that a channel is coming up which will feature material from Southern Africa ranging from soaps, documentaries, movies and music videos. He has since started collecting material.
Film Association of Malawi (Fama) President Ezaius Mkandawire said on Monday that they were happy to be part of the festival which will offer film makers in the country a chance to screen their movies.
“We are happy to partner Lake of Stars on this festival which is very important to film makers. Of course the festival is taking short films but this is a good move and we hope Malawians will patronise the festival,” said Mkandawire.
Meanwhile the organisers of the festival have said all is set for the festival which will feature films from Malawian film makers alongside films from around the globe.
“Over 100 submissions of all styles and backgrounds have been received, from countries as diverse as Egypt, Norway, South Korea, France, DRC, Scotland, Burkino Faso and the USA,” said the organisers in a press release.
The Festival’s Creative Director Patrick Garety said he was delighted with the interest that has been shown from all around the world in this new event.
“I am excited to see that there are some really creative filmmakers coming up through the ranks. We have received submissions from more than 20 countries so there will definitely be an international flavour to the festival,” he said.
Garety added that as well as viewing over 50 short films, ranging in length from just a few minutes up to half an hour, the audience will have the chance to participate in the awards ceremony that will be taking place, by placing their vote in the ‘Audience Award’ category.
The other award categories include Best Film, Best Malawian Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Documentary.
Apart from movies that will be the main course during the two day event, people will also sample music and performances from Menes, George Kalukusha, Joshua Matonga, Adrian Kwelepeta and Q Malewezi.
“On Saturday (tomorrow), younger film fans have the opportunity to get involved with the Lilongwe Tots Children’s session. A variety of short films specifically aimed at children will be shown, including some well known names alongside African children’s cartoons and films created by young people. The Tilinanu Children’s Choir will also be performing a few songs,” he said.
Lake of Stars Festival organisers have extended their base with the film festival giving a platform to film makers who have had no platform. The Lake of Stars Festival will be held in September in Mangochi.
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