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Publicity, Honourable Webster Shamu, and his Permanent Secretary, George Charamba, were part of the delegation that attended this 2012 Film Indaba held at the Zimbabwe Film and Television School of Southern Africa (ZIFTESSA) in Harare.

The Indaba began with the presentation  of the film policy proposals to the minister by the chairman of the Zimbabwe Film Industry Development Committee and the director of ZIFTESSA, Dr Rino Zhuwarara.
The 16-page film policy proposal mainly consists of recommendations for the establishment of a national film board and a national film fund through an Act of Parliament.

The film policy proposal was produced by the Zimbabwe Film Industry Development Committee appointed by filmmakers at the 2010 Film Indaba, which was convened by the Zimbabwe Filmmakers’ Guild.
The committee comprises the following filmmakers: Nocks Chatiza, Nelson Tsanga, Samuel Gondongwe, Vivial Lucas, Stephen Chigorimbo, Dr Zhuwarara, Nyaradzo

Muchena, Francesca Sibanda and Timothy Makwarimba.
Last year’s Indaba, which was also convened at ZIFTESSA by the Zimbabwe Filmmakers Guild debated the film policy proposal which elaborates the objectives of the recommended national film board, its powers and duties among other important issues.

In his keynote address, Minister Shamu observed that the task of transforming the film sector in Zimbabwe was a process which was going to be take a lot of effort and determination over a long period of time.
He noted that the 2010 and 2011 film indabas had observed areas of cultural strengths in Zimbabwe such as music, performing and visual arts, which have the potential to enrich filmmaking in Zimbabwe.

He, however, stressed that one of the weaknesses the two film indabas had acknowledged was “the continued absence of a detailed and well-articulated policy specifically meant to address the needs of the film sector.
“This was despite the fact that the Broadcasting Services Act dwells on some elements with implications for the film industry.”

The minister challenged the Film Indaba to examine how ZIFTESSA and the Production Services Department could be transformed “into a nerve centre of film- related cultural activities in the country.”
He called for ideas on such a film centre which can “be replicated into other parts of Zimbabwe so that these cultural centres can serve to unearth the abundant

talent and imagination which we know exist throughout the country.”
He recognised the Film Indaba, as a critical forum for discussing how ZIFTESSA can assist in the development of film in Zimbabwe.
The minister saw the dialogue as something that can enable the Government to be in a “better position to understand the needs of the film sector and to respond to them in a meaningful way”.

In concluding his address, Minister Shamu stated: “The need to accelerate the development of Zimbabwe’s film industry is a very critical task, which requires the serious attention of not only Government but the corporate sector.
“Players in the sector cannot execute this critical task on their own. We need to be producers and consumers of our own cultural products although we can accommodate products from other countries.”

During the remainder of the dialogue which ended in the afternoon, Cde Charamba responded to many issues raised by six filmmakers in their presentations on what role ZIFTESSA can play in enhancing the development of Zimbabwe’s film industry.
He also took time to explain his ministry’s role in the development of film in Zimbabwe.

It was very evident that Cde Charamba was not only very alive to most of the issues about film development which were raised by the filmmakers but had also played a vital role in developing a comprehensive strategy to that effect — a strategy he articulated so clearly and convincingly.
He also advised the Film Indaba to review its submission to Government in order to ensure that the document would contain comprehensive recommendations for a national film policy rather remain limited to a proposal for a statutory body for the film sector.

In our next instalment, I will look at presentations made by actor and former Big Brother housemate Munyaradzi Chidzonga, Norbet Fero, Priscilla Sithole, Nyaradzo Muchena, Nakai Matema and Tsitsi Dangarembga on how ZIFTESSA can contribute to the development of a viable film industry.

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