HARARE More than 80 filmmakers and supporting industries gathered last week to discuss reviving the local film industry. The Deputy Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Lazarus Dokora, said the consultative meeting came up with a number of ways to build the industry.
The film convention was aimed at coming up with ways to develop the local film industry. Filmmakers such as Steven Chigorimbo, Aaron Chiundura plus 80 others were in attendance, he said.
There should be new legislation or a bill drafted to support the film industry. Our ministry works with the media ministry plus other stakeholders such as NAC (National Arts Council). We can work together on a project though the media ministry controls the outlet.
We wanted to make way for evolution in the film industry. The response was good though the participants started at different standpoints. After talking we knew that we had a common goal, he said.
The deputy minister lamented that there were few independent film makers as most depended on or were driven by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
Look at history, after independence the bulk of players involved in movies were NGO-driven entities for example Neria. The movie was a box office hit in 1992 and even surpassed some international movies. But there was not much benefit to local performers and producers, he said.
He said Zimbabwe had scenic beauty and should take a proactive role in producing chart-topping movies rather than be viewed as a staging post.
Post published in: Theatre