The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
PLANS are afoot to make Manicaland Province a film hub of Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the official launch ceremony of Mutare’s first ever crime movie, Vicious Circle at a local hotel last Saturday night, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Nokhuthula Matsikenyire, whose speech was read by Mutare District Development Coordinator, Wilson Bore said the movie was released at a time when strategies were being devised to resuscitate the local film industry in Manicaland.
“The movie came at a time when the province was on a roundtable trying to figure out how best we can revive the local film industry which we believe plays a pivotal role in the digital economy and the betterment of our people’s lives. We plan on making our city the film hub in Zimbabwe, and we have recorded this feature film, Vicious Circle as our first step towards that.
“We will ensure that there will be another production before the end of this year, followed by another as we aim to achieve our vision. Please note that the film industry is just as competitive as any other industry, and we believe it will do us more good if it is well funded and supported. Such industries that can depend on the arts industry include commerce and tourism.
“ Companies can advertise in the films through brand and product placement which is a viable marketing strategy, while the tourism industry will benefit as films tend to market tourism destinations in a subtle way,” she said.
This initiative of making Mutare a film hub will see our youths being creative and resourceful, thereby shunning and eradicating drug abuse which has since morally degraded the society.
The event saw 200 copies of the movie being bought by various individuals and stakeholders who attended the launch.
The executive director of the movie, Stephen Mutsago said although the response since the release of the movie was overwhelming, they were failing to reach out to a bigger audience because of financial constraints.
“The response has been overwhelming across the country and beyond borders. Our only challenge is efficiency. We are failing to reach out to bigger audiences due to financial constraints.
“We plan to distribute the film through DVDs and screenings, but we can’t access our audience easily. There is need for financial bail-out, strong sponsorship and support. The premiere was focused on officially launching the film, and no attention was given to fundraising. We are planning to have a fundraising event later,” he said.
He added: “The greatest challenge is mobility. We do not have resources to travel and deliver or screen the film. All this comes back to funding, and we are appealing to the corporate sector, and individuals to come onboard, and assist us in extensively marketing the project since our budget has now been exhausted.”
