Film Support Initiative, a project by the Film Makers Guild of Zimbabwe (FMGoZ),
has received a $10 000 funding grant from the Zimbabwe Culture Fund Trust
towards the purchase of film production equipment.
The aim is to develop local filmmaking and to support filmmakers with low
budgets.
“In Harare, we have decided to buy an editing suite with Final Cut 10 locally and
plan to buy an HD camera and accessories from South Africa before the end of
the year,’ explained Nocks Chatiza, founder of the FMGoZ and a filmmaker who
was trained at the South African Medium AFDA in Johannesburg.
He said that from January 2014, the equipment will be available to fully
subscribed members at a nominal fee; while non-members will be able to rent
the new equipment at full standard rates.
The FSI’s aim to assist with and decrease production budgets and costs for
Zimbabwean filmmakers. It will provide production equipment at the lowest rate
or for free for those filmmakers who do not have funding but have a good
project.
Hiring production equipment is becoming one of the major obstacles to making
films as three quarters of the budget is allocated to this aspect.
With the FSI in place, Zimbabwe is poised to see more films being produced at
lower costs, as filmmakers will access the equipment at the lowest and most
affordable rate and sometimes in exchange of a percentage of the commercial
rights or a profit-sharing agreement if the film is sold.
FMGoZ’s vision is to cultivate an environment that allows the film and television
industry to play a meaningful role in the socio-economic development of
Zimbabwe. Its mission includes the mobilisation of filmmakers, advocacy,
research, development, promotion, coordination and facilitation of film and
television productions, attracting local and international investments in the film
and television industry, benefiting the people and contributing to socio-economic
growth in Zimbabwe.
The Harare-based organisation believes that it is of national importance to
create facilities for ordinary Zimbabweans, thereby deepening democracy and
creating prosperity. It also aims to be a leader in the film and television industry
through harnessing the industry’s infrastructural needs, recognising technical
and creative expertise while promoting unique and wide-ranging locations.
According to Chatiza, it took more than two years to receive the funding and he
has extended his gratitude to the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust for their
support and partnership.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Film and Television School of Southern Africa
(ZIFTESSA) is calling for applications from qualified young men and women who
wish to train as filmmakers. The two-and-a-half year course to obtain a Diploma
in Filmmaking starts in February 2014.
Full-time courses at ZIFTESSA are offered in Scriptwriting, Producing,
Cinematography, Production Design, Directing, Sound and Editing Special Effects,
among others. The deadline for applications is 30 January 2014.
