Zimpapers Logo

Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
THE Zimbabwe Film and Television School of Southern Africa (ZIFTESSA) completed the second round of film-makers training with 40 getting basic coaching in film-making in Victoria Falls.

ZIFTESSA director Rino Zhuwarara is heading a team of five lecturers, Nocks Chatiza, Tarisai Mtetwa, Brain Mhlanga, Obey Marimo and Kudakwashe Moyo from the film school on a countrywide training programme of potential film-makers under government’s digitalisation programme.

Speaking at the end of the four-day intensive training in Victoria Falls on Saturday, Chatiza challenged aspiring film-makers to work together to be able to grow the film industry.

“Don’t compete against each other, your competition is not here but out there in other towns. This was an intensive training to give you basic knowledge and we’re satisfied with what we saw hence we encourage you to get into groups and form associations to work together,” Chatiza told the aspiring filmmakers.

He said they would soon be travelling to the Manicaland and Mashonaland provinces to train people there.

Zhuwarara said their aim was to have the local film industry matching established ones such as Nollywood, Bollywood and Hollywood.

“The idea is to empower film-makers so they have somewhere to start. We’re not yet in a position to compare well with others probably because of our economy and few players in the industry, but it’s never too late,” said Zhuwarara.

“What’s been lacking is the numbers but our advantage is that we’ve educated and ambitious people. Soon, we’ll be able to compare with others.”

Eighteen people trained in Lupane, 42 in Binga, 33 in Hwange and 40 in Victoria Falls.

The first round of training was conducted in February in Harare, Mutare, Masvingo and Bulawayo while the second covered Gweru, Gwanda and Plumtree, Lupane, Binga, Hwange and Victoria Falls where dozens went through basic training in scriptwriting, producing, directing, cinematography and editing.

@ncubeleon