Mash West film festival roars to life

THE third edition of annual leading Mashonaland West film festival organised by Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) roars to life today, with scores of people expected.

In an interview yesterday, festival director Dr Batsirai Chivanga said this year’s event running under the theme “triumph against all odds” will be a cut above the rest as they have increased the number of productions to showcase.

“This year I can say like wine we are getting better with age. There is a lot of professionalism compared to the previous years,” he said.

“We are also going to showcase a variety of productions, including short films written, produced and directed by CUT students, Midlands State University Students and Independent filmmakers, including myself.”

Dr Chivanga said this year’s theme was aimed at inspiring filmmakers to keep striking gold, despite the economic hardships bedevilling the country.

“This is an encouragement to filmmakers in Zimbabwe that they should not lose heart because of the harsh economic environment surrounding them as there is always light at the end of every tunnel,” he said.

Dr Chivanga said Zimbabwe has a lot of talent, which is being underutilised.

“If filmmakers are equipped with the means, our country will be a force to reckon with as there is so much talent. The quality of films we are going to exhibit this year speaks for themselves,” he said.

Dr Chivanga also urged filmmakers to desist from covering politics alone as there were many unexplored areas.

“People always talk of politics and economic hardships, but there are other stories, which need to be covered,” he said.