Film Association of Malawi (Fama) has unveiled the full list of categories for the Malawi Film Awards and Gala,=scheduled for December 19 at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe. This year’s categories fall under the Judges’ Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Fama Special Awards, Honorary Awards and Fama Inclusive Awards. The sub categories include Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Script, Best Cinematography, Best Feature Film and Best Film, among others.
Fama president Dorothy Kingston in an interview yesterday said the categories are deliberately grouped to allow broader participation from both the jury and the public. She said the new approach seeks to transform how film awards have previously been conducted in the country. “We are trying to change how things have been done by allowing larger participation in the choice of awardees.
While the jury has a part to play, the public will also nominate and vote. We want people to be part of the process,” said Kingston. She said the introduction of the Dzaleka Edition and the Inclusive Awards is meant to ensure that no creative community is left out.
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Kingston noted that Dzaleka Refugee Camp hosts a vibrant artistic community whose contributions often go unnoticed. “There is a creative community at Dzaleka, but most of the time they are excluded. With these categories, we will be able to award and recognise movies produced at Dzaleka and by creatives from there,” she said.
Kingston said the inclusive categories are also meant to ensure that creatives with disabilities are acknowledged. “We also want to award people with special needs and recognise them,” she said. She added that the event is also positioning itself as a gateway for local filmmakers to connect with the broader African film industry but also inspire young film industry players to aim high.
This year’s edition is expected to feature actors and filmmakers from across the continent, including Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. Some of the actors include Ghanaian actress Juliet Ibrahim and Nigerian actors Ada Kirikiri and Osuagu Victor, who will be accompanied by the president of the Nigerian Actors Guild, Dr. Emeka Rollas as well as South African actor Zolisa Xaluva Fama events coordinator Phil Kuipa Phiri said the gala aims to redefine the experience of film celebrations in Malawi. He said the team has invested in improving the event’s structure, branding and overall atmosphere to give creatives a memorable evening.
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