By NCHIMUNYA MIYOBA
Sotambe Film Institute says 300 movie entries have been submitted for this year’s 6th Sotambe Documentary film and Arts festival.
And of the 300 movies 114 movies are locally produced with six countries confirming participation in the event.
This year’s Sotambe Documentary Film and Arts Festival will take place from 21 to 29th September 2019 in various places in Kitwe.
The prestigious film festival which is dubbed “Southern African Reels” will hosts filmmakers from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana,the Democratic republic of Congo and Zambia.
Speaking during a press briefing held at the garden court hotel today, Sotambe Film Institute Director Martina Mwanza said Sotambe Documentary film and Arts Festival will continue tapping local talent until it is recognized in the region and beyond
Ms Mwanza said that the film and arts industry in Zambia has the potential to create jobs and contribute to Gross Domestic Product GDP of the country.
Kitwe District Commissioner Binwell Mpundu said Government provides an environment that supports the growth of industries, film industry inclusive.
“It is not our role as Government to create employment. Government should not be blamed for the lack of employment because it is not our responsibility to create employment for you our citizens. Our role as government is to create an environment that supports the growth of industries,” he said.
Mr Mpundu said the movie industry has the potential to create jobs for the local people in the country.
He said the Zambian movie industry has potential to grow adding that government will always be ready to support initiatives aimed at job creation.
Mr Mpundu commended the sotambe film festival organizers for reminding young people in Kitwe that there are other activities that they can be a part of than joining gangs and involving themselves in illicit activities.
He said that there is lack of promotion of massive talent and creativity in the city that has diverse and nationally acclaimed dances like Chimwemwe dance that originated from Kitwe.
And Multi Choice Zambia Public Relations Manager Mwiika Malindima said the company will always partner with Sotambe film institute as they are always tapping talent from the grass roots.
Mr Malindima said Multi Choice Zambia will continue supporting local productions as seen by the number of local productions been aired on DSTV Zambezi channel.
He said that the company is following closely the new film policy that government is working on adding that the new policy will bring value addition to the industry.
