THE words ‘local film industry’ if uttered locally are likely to be replied by the answer ‘what film industry?’
It has been decades since the country had notable and award winning films in the mould of Neria, Yellow Card and Tanyaradzwa.
Many continue to argue that there is
no film industry to talk about in the country.
The Government due to financial constraints has not been able to fund local production which has seen private players come in and try to revive the industry that once churned films competitively in the region.
There are two main film festivals which have over the years become the highlight for film makers locally, International Images Film Festival for Women (IIFF) and Zimbabwe International Film Festival.
The 13-year-old International Images Film Festival for Women (IIFF) which has been pegged for August 15-23 avails female filmmakers the opportunity to have their productions screened in countries like Malawi, Somalia and Kenya.
Locally, the festival will also host screenings in Binga, Bulawayo, Chipinge, Chimanimani and Gwanda.
“The festival offers an exhibition platform for gender sensitive narratives and organisers believe Zimbabwean stories should be at the forefront of a home grown festival,” the organisers said in a statement.
The women’s film festival will run under the theme ‘Women Alive: Women of Heart’.
Already, 13 entries have been submitted for the selection.
Meanwhile, the 16-year-old Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) is scheduled for October 4-11 and will run under the theme ‘Universal African’.
The event will be a celebration of African cinema and African filmmakers who have excelled on the world stage.
Founding Trustee, Nigel Munyati said while they have invited film lovers and makers from all over the world, their main focus will be African players.
“ZIFF 2014 is the opportunity to engage the multitude of African film stakeholders globally, and to motivate them to convene in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“The main focus will be on ‘new generation’ African filmmakers, particularly those that have represented the continent positively through film.”
The black actor especially the African has over time been given the needy, illiterate or unsophisticated roles that perpetuate a negative perception about black people.
Recently award winning film maker, Tapiwa Chipfupa released her production, The Bag on my Back which was screened by Aljazeera depicting Zimbabwe negatively.
While controversy sells, the image portrayed about the country, however, will remain permanently etched in the minds of international players who look up to the filmmaker to tell the story of their home country and continent.
Munyati said the event will celebrate local celebrities like Danai Gurira, Lucian Wiina Msamati, Tongai Arnold Chirisa and Leroy Gopal that have made it on regional and international platforms.
With such strides there is hope that the film industry will gain momentum and break ground regionally and internationally.