BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
NATIONAL Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) director Nicholas Moyo will tomorrow evening officially open this year’s edition of the virtual Piton International Film Festival (PIFF)-Africa 2021 festival that roars to life today until May 23.
The festival, organised by NACZ in partnership with PIFF, will see 23 African films from 11 countries being screened.
For the launch, Moyo will be joined on PIFF-Africa Zoom platform by PIFF founding president Ed “Umoja” Herman from his headquarters in the United States, PIFF vice-president Kathleen Walls and NACZ provincial arts manager for Midlands province Kumbirai Kupfavira, who is also the festival co-ordinator.
“The films are available for viewing for 24 hours each day from 0600 hours on the platform. Passwords are available to watch the specific movies on the prescribed day and they expire after 24 hours,” said Kupfavira.
“Join Zoom Meeting on https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8566842504?pwd=TXdSOE81UFBPTUdpQjBJZExMM0VsQ T09. Meeting ID: 856 684 2504 and Passcode: 732045.”
Some social issues that affect the African continent will be uncovered at the festival.
Kupfavira recently said there had been an overwhelming response from artists across the continent who want to take part in the festival to promote African filmmakers.
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“At the close of submissions on April 17, we had received 23 films from 11 African countries which include South Africa, Morocco, Uganda, Cameroon and two films from Zimbabwe were submitted,” she said.
“The issues tackled in the films are wide and they include gender-based violence and sexuality which are prevalent in many countries even outside the African continent.”
Herman said they would work with filmmakers to monetise their content.
“From music videos to full feature projects, PIFF-Africa is proud to see the level of work that has come to us and we will use our global platform to assist the filmmakers in getting their brand to more locations,” he said.
“Because we are based on the collaborative spirit, we will be working with the filmmakers who are interested in monetising work after the festival. Much thanks to all the filmmakers who have submitted to PIFF-Africa 2021, we look forward to building a long working relationship with you.”
The festival is a 12-month initiative to celebrate filmmaking and to work collaboratively with filmmakers who are based in Africa, providing a unique opportunity to filmmakers for education, collaboration, and celebration, instead of competition.
Follow Winstone on Twitter @widzoanto
