By DAVID KANDUZA –
ORGANISERS of SOTAMBE Documentary Film and Arts have invited learning institutions on the Copperbelt for a four-day festival at the Kitwe Little Theatre.
The festival a third edition under the theme ‘Common Endeavours’ would highlight participation of youths, people living with disability and marginalised groups in society.
Martina Mwanza told Sunday Times during the week that particular attention for the festival to be held on September 20 to 24 would include topics on good governance, gender equality, social exclusion, environmental issues, minerals extraction and health matters.
“To promote local film production, we have planned a filmmaking workshop to be held from September 5 to 16, 2016 at the Kitwe Little Theatre.
“The additional programme for the festival consists of art exhibition, art workshop for children aged three to six years and competitions in filmmaking, singing, poetry and dancing competition,” Ms Mwanza said.
SOTAMBE Documentary Film and Arts Festival is organised yearly in cooperation with the department of Development Studies at the Zambia Catholic University and the Kitwe Little Theatre.
It is aimed at educating and raising awareness on social issues in the society through film and arts.
Ms Mwanza said the festival serves as a platform of two characters namely learning institutions that could use documentary movies, arts and panel discussions as a new and advanced method of learning.
The second being local film makers and artists who showcase their work and inspire others.
She said this would recognise Film and Art aimed at national developmental objectives which were intended to be achieved.
Ms Mwanza said many mushrooming film festivals were being organised in Southern African region as filmmaking and arts were a booming industry.
“Part of the objective of these festivals is to screen films or documentary movies with a view to raise awareness on social issues. SOTAMBE DFAF goes further. Each documentary screening is followed up by a panel discussion with possibly government officials, lecturers and development workers from various NGOs,” she said.
The main target audience are university and college students and pupils from secondary and primary schools.
She said public lectures on selected topics were an important part of the festival and that each year special screening for primary schools were followed up by discussion and educational games.
Ms Mwanza said SOTAMBE DFAF reached out to the communities through outdoor screenings that were gaining popularity and follow-up discussions.
“To this end we would like to invite learning institutions and all residents of the Copperbelt Province to make a date with the SOTAMBE Documentary Film and Arts Festival!” she said.