AWARD-WINNING businesswoman and Securico founder Divine Ndhlukula says the film sector is a vehicle for women’s entrepreneurial and economic empowerment as it integrates several sectors including employment of several people in one goal.
Ndhlukula, who spoke as the guest of honour at the official opening of the 21st edition of the International Images Film Festival for Women (IIFF) at the National Arts Gallery in Harare on Friday last week challenged filmmakers to be innovative and strategic in carrying out their productions and marketing them.
She cited herself as a perfect example of effective entrepreneurship as she lifted Securico from the humble commencements of a three-person company to today when she leads over 5 000 employees. Ndhlukula told the crowds and filmmakers that she is in the process of scripting her business prowess for filming purposes. To that effect Securico Company has in the past used filming to raise awareness and building integrity of its business brand, she said.
Eresina Hwede IIFF director said the the Institute of Creative Arts for Progress in Africa (ICAPA Trust) engaged in all aspects of creative arts, including research, training and publication of papers, arts entrepreneurship and production of creative arts products that grip, entertain and transform audiences. She added that her organisation promoted innovation and supported ideas through its training and mentoring programmes at its exhibitions and networking events and its competitive production initiatives.
“IIFF is one of the several programmes run by ICAPA Trust and is the organisation’s flagship. Some of our objectives at ICAPA Trust are to produce compelling international standard films, media and other arts products that foster sustainable democratic transformation on the African continent, to overcome cultures of violence, intolerance and corruption in Zimbabwe through a multi-disciplinary arts platform in addition to providing competitive, efficient training in the arts to those traditionally excluded in order to tell socially transformative stories in a sustainable manner,” Hwede said.
She said ICAPA Trust, through its flagship IIFF, held several residences on filming and in due course would be offering filming qualification courses.
“ICAPA Trust is expanding these residences into a three-year part time qualification. We are looking for tertiary educational institutions to partner us in this venture. We would be grateful if anyone could point us to potential partner institutions. We are also looking for funding for this programme which is called the Creative Africa Storytelling for the Screen Incubator (CASSI). We are holding a CASSI information session during the festival and we hope those of you who will attend will bear these needs in mind, to enable ICAPA Trust to continue to serve the Zimbabwean and continental film sectors competitively.”
Multi-award winning film Goodbye Julia sentimentalised the speeches by the guest of honour Ndhlukula, IIFF Hwede and Rebecca Acher Kneppper’s Speech from the US Embassy. The IIFF screen play fiesta runs from August 23 to 31 in Harare at various venues namely: National Gallery of Zimbabwe, B2C Nexus Batanai Mall, Francaise, Dzivarasekwa Community Hall 1 and Hatcliffe Community Centre Hall. The Goodbye Julia film which was written and directed by Mohamed Kordofani raised awareness on critical issues that sparked conversations during the chat and mingle session while Tariro Negitare strummed her guitar in soundtrack style to the audience movement.
American composer Osei Essed said the film Goodbye Julia was a set piece in teaching many aspects about film which include scripting and scoring.
Essed will be conducting a workshop on film scoring.
He also promised to deliver a compressive workshop on film scoring and drumming.
Goodbye Julia, which had a budget of US$500 000, follows the story of Mona, a northern Sudanese retired singer in a tense marriage, who is wracked by guilt after covering up for a murder. In an attempt to make amends, she takes the deceased's southern Sudanese widow, Julia and her son, Daniel, into her home. It will once again focus on celebrating and showcasing the creative works of female filmmakers from around the world.
Former Culture Fund director Farai Mupfunya called the film Goodbye Julia a masterpiece which shows the importance of correct and consistent data and information storage. He challenged journalists and media practitioners to keep accurate records for the purpose of producing educating and entertaining screenplays.
Ratidzo Midzi a lecturer at Midlands State University said: “Goodbye Julia is a beautiful film and reflects on several experiences in Africa like racism, religious conflicts, toxic cultural habits, gender-based violence, identity crisis and creation of harmony and conducive environments for elections. Overally the film teaches good citizenship and forgiving trespassers.”
ICAPA director Tsitsi Dangarembga said the film Goodbye Julia showed a lot to learn it from experiences during war times.