By Jimmy Chazama
A film titled Welcome to Maula Prison by 4Kaya Filmz bagged more than five awards on Friday night at the Malawi Film Awards and Gala held at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe.
Led by Film Association of Malawi (Fama), the red-carpet event, which attracted several creators led by local and international filmmakers, saw Welcome to Maula Prison scooping Best Malawian Fiction Feature Film, People’s Choice Best Feature Film, Best Cinematography, Best Actor, Best Costume Designer (Desire Namachotsa) and Best Production House awards.
The accolade for Best Actor Award went to Amos Msekandiana, who recently also bagged the Best Actor Award during the fifth edition of Maso Awards, whereas Michelle Chirwa got the Best Actress Award.
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The film, which premiered in May this year, tells the story of Jaliwa, played by Msekandiana, who gets wrongly accused and later imprisoned at Maula Prison after being betrayed by his friend in a corrupt foreign exchange deal.
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“Thank you for the votes, you are amazing. Next movie is titled Sona,” Tumpe Mtaya, popularly known as Phwedo, who also stars in the film, wrote on his Facebook page.
A movie by Joyce Mhango Chavula titled The Gunless Soldier followed closely, claiming Best Actress, Best Sound and Best Director awards.
Powered by Goshen City, led by Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, to the tune of K100 million, other winners on the night included Recycle Bin for Best Fiction Short Film, Grassroots to Greatness (Best Short Documentary) and Pa Mango Lodge (Special Jury Series) Award, Taurai (Best Content Creator) and (Best Social Media Film Reels), Memory Black (Best Makeup Artist) and Innocent Kumchedwa (Best Film Media Personality).
Other awards went to Ching’aning’ani (Best Actor (Comedy), Nanyoni (Best Actress (Comedy), Tupochere (Best Female Social Media Video Content Creator) and Chippie (Best Male Social Media Video Content Creator).
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On the international scene, Zimbabwe’s Ngoda won Best International Fiction Feature Film, with Morocco’s Et l’ombre demeure collecting the Best International Fiction Short Film whereas Joe Njangu (Zimbabwe) was Best International Director while Emmanuel Mwape (Zambia) claimed (Best International Cinematographer).
Meanwhile, South African filmmaker Zolisa Xaluva, who was one of the headlining guests, called upon Africans to take charge of telling their stories.
“Film has the power to change this narrative and uplift communities across the continent,” Xaluva said.
Prophetess Mary Bushiri, who was the guest of honour, said their support was driven by the industry’s role in representing Africa abroad.
“Movies bring people together and the film industry is important in helping to strengthen the economy. Fama has done a very good job of telling our stories and bringing filmmakers together,” she said.
Fama President Dorothy Kingston described the Malawi Film Awards and Gala, which kicked off on Thursday with screenings and interactions, as a success.
“I am very excited that people have shown trust in us, filmmakers. Next year, we are planning for a bigger venue to accommodate more people,” Kingston said.
The event was spiced up by music performances from Tuno and Zeze Kingston, among others.
