ZIMBABWEAN film producers in the diaspora have teamed up with local filmmakers for a short film competition to help improve the local film industry.
United Kingdom-based Jessie Allen said her film school, JAC Film School, has partnered Cinema Society of Zimbabwe (CSZ) and Creative Audio to launch a short film competition in which less than 100 words can be used.
“The competition, in partnership with Cinema Society of Zimbabwe and Creative Audio, will ensure local filmmakers focus on subtext, lighting, camera angles and story structure, rather than relying on scenes that are heavy on dialogue,” she said.
To help improve the Zimbabwean film industry, the Wolverhampton-based film producer noted that investment was important to enable filmmakers to procure filmmaking equipment.
“For innovation in the Zimbabwean film industry to happen, I believe that investment is extremely important. We need equipment such as quality cameras, lighting and spaces for sound stages.”
She continued: “As an industry, we also need to be confident in telling stories that honour our culture, values and traditions. We have a lot to teach the world about love, compassion and understanding, particularly through telling stories infused with ethics of Hunhu/Ubuntu.
“We partnered CSZ because we share the same vision. CSZ aims to continuously improve the local film industry by offering access to training in screenwriting, how to tell authentic African stories that do not cause defamation, how to work together by sharing skills and capacity.”
The partnership was working towards improving film distribution routes for Zimbabwean films, connecting and collaborating with neighbouring countries in the African diaspora that are craving for quality films.
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Allen said her recent visit to Warner Brother’s studios as well as Paramount studios, which are both at the heart and history of Hollywood, taught her that visual story-telling was important.
“Warner Brothers, in particular, take seriously and understand the social responsibility they have as movie makers to tell stories that bring about positive change in society by challenging oppression,” she told NewsDay Life & Style.
“Paramount studios were outstanding in the layout of their internal sets, props and lighting and use of small spaces that were transformed in different films. The takeaway for me from the visit was that it is important to have the space in which to be creative.”
From the tour, she learnt how the tourism industry can work hand in hand with the arts industry for film makers to achieve their desired results.
“During the tour of the studios we discussed the importance of investing in silent movies (story telling without too many words). The most important advice shared was the importance of going back to watch silent movies and learn storytelling without too many words,” she said.
“Iconic silent films such as the Jazz Singer are a great starting point and also not to forget Charlie Chaplain, Laureland Hardy and Co who entertained without sound.”
Zimbabwe, of course, had its own silent film, the hilarious Tiki.
Allen has been involved in production and direction of short films and documentaries.
She has featured in a number of local and international film productions, including the Small Axe, directed by Steve McQueen, which airs on the British Broadcasting Corporation.
