Get organised, minister tells Zambian artistes

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ARTISTES in Zambia are very disorganised, Minister of Sports and Art Elvis Nkandu has oberved.
 
Speaking at the launch of the Zambia Oscar Committee, Nkandu said it was important that industry players begun to be more organised.
 
He challenged the industry leaders to take upo a change in making sure that their quest for collaborations is achieved.
 
“It is important that you start to be organised as an industry. Collaboration is key. It’s like everyone is working alone so it important that you as association play a critical role in making sure that you organise the unorganised,” Nkandu said.
 
He said there was need for artistes to get organised.
 
“This is actually coming from you but I have also observed that there is a lot of disoganisation. Collaboration will only come if you the leadership get organised in making sure that you organise the unorganised.”
 
Nkandu said art and sport should not only be for entertainment but an employment creator amongst the young people.
 
He said any initiative that would improve the art industry in Zambia was very welcome, adding that the ministry had an open door policy.
 
He said in order to improve the art industry, the Ministry of Finance has been working on making sure government waives off tax on film equipment and other items relating to the industry.
 
“It is an honour for me to be here today to witness the start of an exciting but important chapter in the film industry in Zambia. The Zambia Oscar Committee, which we are launching today, forms part of other international groupings of the Oscars committee for foreign language. I am reliably informed that this committee has been established in this country through the Filmmakers’ Guild of Zambia in partnership with the Sotambe Film Institute, and was approved by the International Feature Film Awards committee in July 2022,” he said. “This year, as part of the Oscars, this committee seeks to promote international feature films, apart from those produced in the United States of America, to be considered for an award at the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Science (AMPAS). It is good to note that the winning honours go to a country and not an individual.”
 
Nkandu said his ministry therefore welcomes such initiatives because they support government efforts of building capacity in the film industry and expose local filmmakers and production houses to the international market.
 
He added that the Zambia Oscars Committee, working with government, will ensure that quality local productions start to receive much needed attention from the international market.
 
“Indeed, this exposure will not only be great for local film talent and production houses, but also for the country at large. You might be aware that my ministry is putting in place a film policy whose aim is to develop the film industry and ensure its growth. As such, the coming in of the Zambia Oscars Committee fits in positively with government’s thinking and will impact a broad spectrum of talented Zambians from across the country working in the film industry,” he said. “Government is poised to ensure that film and arts begin to develop monetarily and add to the national economic growth with tangible results. The film industry alone has been noted to add to nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) positively and examples from Nigeria, South Africa and the United States of America are there to see.”
 
Nkandu said the film industry should therefore not be taken as secondary because it has the potential of making positive economic gains for all its players.
 
He said this for government translates into the much needed job opportunities as well as a growth in the national income per capita.
 
Nkandu said it is pleasing to hear that some Zambian productions are already making international headways.
 
“I am aware that Centripetal Media, under the leadership of one of Zambia’s film stewards Mr Lawrence Thompson was recently at the Cannes Film Festival in France where they showcased some of his productions that included ‘Can they see us’. But more than that, they managed to acquire business and contacts that will go a long way in developing the Zambian film industry,” he said.
 
Nkandu said he was also aware of another feature film ‘Maria Kristu: The Buumba story’ by Paul Wilo has received international accolades at various forums.
‘Currently, government is supporting Rugano Nyoni and the Big Ants Film who are working on a production that will no doubt propel Zambia to great acclaim. I know there are many local productions of international repute that need to be identified. The government of the republic of Zambia through the leadership, of His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema is pleased to learn that the Zambia Oscars Committee will serve as a platform for the submission of local feature films to be considered for these international awards. Let me announce that with this setup, the Zambia Oscars Committee will open a call for submissions for Zambian feature films from which they will select the best feature film to represent the country at the forthcoming 95th Oscars in January 2023,” Nkandu said.
 
He said this declaration is a great opportunity for local filmmakers and urged all local production houses to take keen interest in the announcement.
 
Nkandu said government strongly believes that the opportunities created will empower a generation of filmmakers that will take their place at the forefront of local creative industries, producing the very best of local content for the Zambian and international audiences.
 
He thanked the Filmmakers’ Guild of Zambia, Sotambe Film Institute, the National Association of Media Arts and other partners that have worked hard to bring this initiative to life.
 
“It is your hard work that is going a long way in creating meaningful investment in the lives of creatives poised to take the lead in the film industry in Zambia. Government is hopeful that activities such as these will take the industry to higher levels and continue to expose the great potential that exist in film and arts in Zambia. It is now my singular honour and privilege to officially announce and launch the Zambia Oscars Committee. Congratulations to the committee and we wish you every success as you put Zambia on the international film market. With these few remarks, I declare the Zambia Oscars committee officially launched. May God bless us all,” said Nkandu.
 
By Oliver Chisenga
 
Kalemba August 26, 2022
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