We had the opportunity to speak with a filmmaker and screenplay writer in Zambia whose work has been showcased on Zambezi Magi, a tv station on Dstv.
Who are you as a creative entrepreneur?
My journey in the film industry began in 2015 when I started producing short films. Currently, I am working on a short film that will be showcased on Zambezi Magic. I am the screenplay writer and part of the creative team for the project. I also have a feature film in the works.
The world is currently going through a global pandemic and everyone is at their wits end. How has this pandemic affected you specifically as a creative in Africa?
We have really experienced a huge set back in the film industry as a result of COVID-19. We normally have quite a number of individuals on set at any given time but now we are limited and cannot meet as teams because of restrictions. Even when we have to shoot on locations, some locations are sensitive about the people they allow into their facilities.
The world has gone virtual. Has working in the digital space been an easy transition for you? Has this shift affected or reshaped the future of the creative industry?
The virtual space has been a bit difficult to navigate. Not all fans and potential fans in Zambia and Africa at large have access to the internet and this has meant most people don't have access to view our work. On the other hand it has allowed us to grow our fan base from not just Zambians but to an international audience as well. The future of the creative industry has definitely changed as new channels of showcasing our art have had to be devised. We all thought by now the pandemic will be over but here we are still in the thick of things. This has then challenged us as artists collectively to find ways to our art out there into the world for our audiences. The world will open up some day and people will be allowed to gather again but the virtual world will allow us to still connect with our audiences who cannot physically be present.
What challenges have you faced in penetrating your own local market, the African market and the world at large?
To be honest there is only one major content buyer in the country which is Zambezi Magic from Dstv, who have limited time slots available to creatives. A number of creatives in Zambia are unable to get airtime to tell their stories and allow their voices to be heard. Local channels are riddled with political propaganda that makes it hard for creatives to sell their content to. This limits or incapacitates our voices as creatives.
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