The much awaited Beitbridge Film Expo kicked off yesterday setting the tone for three days of film festivities punctuated by film showcase, critiquing and training of budding and established film producers, directors, script writers and the talent itself that is the actors and actresses.
The film showpiece, spotlighting the creatives of Beitbridge and Matebeleland South Province kicked of the first day with four screenings of films done by local film makers.
The Blink by Vicqua films; My maid, My best friend by Classic films, Bridge by Donzvo Entertainment ; Sometimes in life by Classic movies were screened on the first day. After every screening, each film was put through a critiquing session with the audience allowed to comment, suggest and pat the backs of creatives for a job well done.
Guest of honour and District Arts and Culture Development Officer in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Mr Cossam Zulu, hailed organisers of the festival for a splendid event that resonates with the Ministry’s core function.
“The Government through the Ministry is working hard to create an environment that supports and enhances the development of sports, recreation, arts and culture. As a Ministry we are here to support and ensure such an important program in the Cultural and Creative Industry of Beitbridge achieves its intended objectives,” he said.
Mr Zulu reiterated the Ministry’s mandate to capacitate creatives so that the industry produces high quality products.
“The Ministry wants us to be exhibiting our artworks locally, provincial level, national, regional and international levels, in other words we need to ensure that our artworks at local level are good enough to exhibit at national and international levels. We want to see art products from Beitbridge being there, added Mr Zulu. The festival continues tomorrow with more film screenings and workshops for creatives aimed at fine tuning their skills and opening new windows of opportunities to produce and market their work.