Own Correspondent
The United States Embassy, in partnership with the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) International Visitor Leadership Programme on Demand Division announced an entertainment media professional visitor programme that will send six Zimbabwean filmmakers to the United States for one week of dynamic activities as part of the inaugural Media Entrepreneurship Leadership Programme.
The Zimbabwean participants to the programme are Elton Mjanana, Tongai Makawa, Nqobizitha Mlilo, Samuel Monro, Priscilla Ncube and Zandile Ndlovu.
“The artistes will visit centres of artistic entrepreneurship and collaboration, particularly in the fields of filmmaking, music recording, photography, and creative writing; as well as explore the role of the creative arts in developing local economies,” said Karen Kelley, Counselor for Public Affairs at the United States Embassy.
“We hope the tour will stimulate their continued engagement in the sector and contribute to the development of the film sector in Zimbabwe.”
Six Zimbabwean independent filmmakers have been selected to take part in the professional visit, which is funded by the US Department of State. Representing various facets of the film-making and entertainment as business entities, this program is set to expose this group to Hollywood film-making and the business of entertainment.
As part of their week-long itinerary, the delegation will begin their tour in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they will visit, among other institutions, Area 15, a micro-business incubator that includes studio spaces for techies, artists, musicians, writers, a DJ music academy, and a diverse group of other professionals, and NC Music Factory, which is a designated historic property, this converted textile mill encompasses two concert venues, large movie studio, comedy club, band rehearsal space, restaurants and night life, and office space for several entertainment, talent, and media companies.
They are also expected to visit The Light Factory, which works with area schools to engage students in social projects, expressed through film and photography; and Indievision, which is a creative agency that has two divisions: a corporate division that creates marketing and branding campaigns for companies and a film division that creates independent films and other forms of on-line and interactive content for the entertainment industry.
In Hollywood, California, the group is expected to visit the African Technology Foundation (ATF) / Relativity Media; the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television; and the USC School of Cinematic Arts and Independent Film, a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping independent filmmakers.
The group will also have networking opportunities with local artists and other community members at events organised by their hosts.
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs fosters mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through international educational, professional and cultural exchanges. The ECA Bureau promotes personal, professional and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, and presents US history, society, art and culture in all of its diversity to overseas audiences.