BY SHARON SIBINDI ORGANISERS of the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (RoilBAA) have added new categories to this year’s sixth edition award ceremony as they opened the call for nominations and submissions on Friday.
The ceremony slated for November 5, will not be a one-night showcase. Pre-award events are scheduled as part of the build up to the main event.
The added categories include Outstanding Screenplay and Outstanding Band (Covers) categories, while the Visual Arts category has been split into two — Outstanding Visual Artist (2D) and Outstanding Visual Artist (3D).
“As was hinted in our last communication on this year’s edition of the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (RoilBAAs), there will be a slight change to some categories, with some additions and alterations,” Nkue Nkala told Standard Style.
“This was a decision made to make the RoilBAAs all-inclusive, while aiding the continued growth of the awards, which are now in their sixth year.
“This year, there will be 41 gongs up for grabs, including the highly contested People’s Choice Award, which was won by gospel musician Mai Mwamuka last year.
“For this year’s RoilBAAs, new categories have been added. These are the Outstanding Screenplay and Outstanding Band (Covers) categories, while the Visual Arts category has been split into two; Outstanding Visual Artist (2D) and Outstanding Visual Artist (3D).”
He said the Outstanding Band (Covers) category came after organisers noted the role that had been played by cover bands, especially during the peak of Covid-19 inspired lockdowns.
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“From weddings to corporate events, bands have become a regular feature of the city’s entertainment landscape, garnering a huge following in Bulawayo and beyond,” Nkala said.
“We hope the introduction of this award will help trigger conversation about the boundless potential local acts have to win over audiences.
“Outstanding Screenplay award seeks to honour those artistes behind the scenes who pen some of the popular productions but rarely get recognition for their craft. This year the region has witnessed a number of screen productions on television, YouTube and other platforms.
“There is a need to encourage these writers to keep churning out internationally recognised and acclaimed content. Outstanding Visual Artist (2D) and Outstanding Visual Artist (3D)
“Although last year we did not have any submissions for the Outstanding Visual Artist award, through our engagement with stakeholders in the visual arts sector, they raised the point for the award to carry weight.”
Nkala said there was need for the category to be more specific and thus split into these two genres.
“It is our hope that this year around, with the added specification, we get nominees for these two categories,” he said.
“In addition, since these RBAAs do not operate in a vacuum, there was a need for the organisers to engage key stakeholders on how best the awards can be improved going forward,” he added.
