By STEPHEN KAPAMBWE –

ZAMBEZI Magic has presented local script writers with the opportunity of having their scripts considered in production of television content.
According to a statement made available to Times weekend Entertainment recently, script writers staying true to the Zambezi Magic’s payoff line ‘Sharing our stories,’ the channel (DStv 160) is launching the first movie project under Zambezi Magic Original Film Productions banner.
The channel wants to produce 12 films over the next 12 months.
Zambezi Magic is inviting all professional and budding scriptwriters to be part of making the channel a true home of southern African entertainment television by submitting their best script for a feature film.
‘Zambezi Magic is looking for outstanding feature film scripts that the channel can turn into Box Office success. Each film will be released onto DStv’s movie rental service, Box Office, before being aired on Zambezi Magic at a later stage,” read the statement released by head of the channel, Addiel Dzinoreva.
Dzinoreva said Zambezi Magic is looking for original and compelling stories that will resonate with audiences. He said the channel wants authentic hyper local stories that are driven by strong narratives and characters and are a reflection of the diversity of local communities.
“Over the past few months we have been engaging and consulting with various filmmakers and industry bodies and they have been urging us to invest in the industry by commissioning projects. This film project is a response to that. The challenge for the filmmakers will be to make a high quality movie for $25 000,” Dzinoreva said.
The Zambezi Magic team is working with local producers to create powerful films that will allow Southern African storytellers to share their stories with the rest of Africa via the DStv platform.
Closing date for submission of scripts is 30th November, 2015.