| Wednesday, 28 March 2012, The Herald |
 her role in “Playing Warriors”, a Zimbabwean feature film.The awards are Africa’s most prestigious awards for filmmakers. Only films produced and released between December 2010 and December 2011 were eligible. The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony to be hosted by “Heroes” star Jimmy Jean-Louis. For the first time, the awards will be held in Lagos rather than Bayelsa in Nigeria. “Our theme this year is ‘Africa Rising’,” said AMAA founder Peace Anyiam-Osigwe. “Africa’s economies are consistently growing faster than those of other regions of the world and our film industries are following suit. With the success of last year’s AMAA winner, ‘Viva Riva!’, all of a sudden there’s this great excitement about the potential of the African film industry, which is clearly demonstrated in this year’s diverse nominees.” Most nominated films include South Africa’s “Otelo Burning” and “How to 2 Steal 2 Million”; Nigeria’s “Adesuwa”; Ghana’s “Somewhere in Africa”; The Nigerian-South African co-production “Man on Ground”; and Kenya’s “Rugged Priest”. Nigeria received 52 nominations, South Africa was a close second with 45 nominations, followed by Ghana with 17, Kenya with 14, Uganda with five, Tanzania with three, and Algeria, Cameroon, Guinea, Rwanda and Zimbabwe were nominated once. There were also nominations for films linked to the Diaspora — in America, Canada, France, Germany, Guadalupe, Italy, Jamaica and the UK. A total of 328 entries from across Africa were received this year up from 220 in 2011. This includes 134 feature films, 88 short films, 57 documentaries and six animations. Forty-three entries came from Africans in the Diaspora with the other entries coming from 23 countries across the continent. South African surfing film “Otelo Burning”, directed by Sara Blecher, scooped the most nominees (13), followed closely by South African film noir “How 2 Steal 2 Million” (11) and Nigeria’s Benin-set historical epic “Adesuwa” (10). Ghana’s civil war film “Somewhere in Africa”, has seven nominations, as does the Nigerian-South African xenophobia-themed co-production “Man on Ground”, while Kenya’s “Rugged Priest” has six nominations. Dr Asantewa Olantunji, director of programming at the Pan African Film Festival, headed this year’s jury. The jury included June Giavanni, programmer for Planet Africa at the Toronto International Film Festival; Keith Shiri, founder and film curator at the London Festival, Africa at the Pictures, Dorothee Wenner, a curator at the Berlin Film Festival, Shaibu Husseini, an actor, dancer and The Nigerian Guardian arts journalist, Steve Ayorinde. Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Mirror, Ayoko Babu, executive director of the Pan African Film Festival Dr Hyginus Ekwuazi, a film scholar and critic and directors Berni Goldblat and John Akomfrah, OBE were also part of the panel. |
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Kudzai Sevenzo, AMAA Nominee
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Sistaz Open Mic to be relaunched
‘SISTAZ’ re-launch at the new Book Cafe
Saturday 31 March 2012
The
New! Book Café, 139 Samora Machel Ave/6th Street
The
dynamic SISTAZ OPEN MIC programme claims its stage at the new! Book Café at 139
Samora Machel Ave this Saturday 31 March, celebrating its 5th year
of growing into what has become the hottest platform for emerging women artists
in Zimbabwe.
Featured
Artists for this special event on 31 March will be Dudu Manhenga, Edith Katiji weUtonga, Tina Watyoka, uZanele, Inkanyezi,
Tamy Moyo and poets ‘Flowchyld’, ‘Black Pearl’, with Linda Gabriel and Aura
Kawanzaruwa as MCs.
The
event is supported by the Embassy of Canada.
It marks the end of ‘women’s month'
The
next regular Open Mic event will be held in May, making way for Easter in April
and HIFA in May.
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Plaxedes Wenyika Launches 5th Album
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| By Margaret Chinowaita, Deputy Entertainment Editor Daily News |
| Tuesday, 13 March 2012 12:54 |
In a stunning burgundy gown and big hair under stated with flat sandals, the diva crooned some songs from the new album. She said as the album’s title entailed, she was offering a brighter day for her fans. After what seemed like a lull in her music career, the album promises to be a comeback for Wenyika who pioneered urban grooves. In an interview earlier when she released a single from this album, Wenyika said she has matured into contemporary music. At the beginning of the function her voice boomed over the speakers with images rolling on a stand. She spoke about her educational background to the time she acquired her degree. She spoke more about her musical journey and the people that supported her, ending by thanking her husband, Mike Joka. Wenyika gave a picture of a wholesome woman who has traversed the musical journey with dedication, passion and the lucky support of her family. At one point her mother came on stage and described how she drew strength and inspiration from her mother. “My mother got her first degree after 40 and she is now working on her masters. She looked after me and my three sisters after my father was gone. She is strong, I take it from her.” The function was attended by executives from various companies and representatives from broadcast and print media. Delta provided two brands of its popular beer for a competition. Those present were excited as they deposited their business cards for a draw. A number won t-shirts and cans of milk stout and bottles of redds. Premier Auto Services Company displayed two luxurious vehicles at the venue gardens for the benefit of those considering purchasing vehicles. However the highlight of the evening was the auctioning of Wenyika’s album. Emmanuel Manyika the most sought after emcee or as he calls himself ‘the only ISO certified emcee in Zimbabwe’ did good auctioneering. Manyika pegged the album low below $50 but it soon went up to $500 as he enticed people to give their bets. He was clever to target those he knew had money in the crowd thus Munyaradzi Kereke with his trademark beam was marked. Manyika went before Kereke and cajoled doing perfect auctioneering. The bet soon shifted from $500 to some figure and there was much betting until Kereke pegged it at $1000 and no one betted anymore and he walked away with the CD. A woman I met after the function said Wenyika’s CD had fetched the highest figure during a launch auctioning and this was obviously good for her. The proceeds were to be handed over to Chinyaradzo children’s home representative who was present at the function. She had given a moving speech on how the home needed to drill a borehole to provide water for smooth runnin |
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Book Cafe Re-launch in Pictures
The women who lit the fire, a befitting celebration of IWD by these phenomenal women.
Artists hail Book Cafe reopening
| DAILY NEWS |
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| By Margaret Chinowaita, Deputy Entertainment Editor |
| Sunday, 11 March 2012 11:25 |
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The new Book Café is now along Samora Machel Avenue in Harare opposite Nandos. The new venue is central and a walking distance from city centre. The place formerly a restaurant is spacious and has a big stage. It also has a reasonably big garden where artists can perform and patrons may relax. Renowned mbira artiste, Hope Masike said she felt excited. “This is an exciting evening. We are able to meet again after a long time. It is an amazing and better place, bigger stage and a roomy area. This time also gave Book Café management an opportunity to re-brand, to fix whatever wanted to be fixed and come up with a more exciting package.” Masike said the change was good and she was looking forward to the year ahead. “This place also allows us to mingle and maintain our professional networks. I was a resident on Tuesday nights at the former Book Café and I would love to reconnect with my fans.” The lanky musician with an amazing smile said she would be performing at the much-anticipated Harare International Festival of Arts and would go on a tour of Europe and the United States of America from June to December. Masike said she want to perform at Book Café before her international engagements. Music diva Prudence Katomeni- Mbofana said she is a product of Book Café where her music prowess was nurtured, seasoned and perfected. She was a permanent feature every week at Book Café while performing with Jazz Invitation a decade ago. Looking stunning in black strapless dress and impressive blue high heels, Katomeni said, “This new place is spacious and with good lighting it can provide a perfect show. It also has a changing room. I have a passion in film and I understand that they want to change one of the rooms into a screening room.” Katomeni said the Book Café offers a perfect environment for artists and those interested in art. Young musician Mannex had a permanent feature at Book Café for three years. He said, “I like this new set up because it is bigger. I performed at the former venue for three years with different bands. I liked the crowds that came to our shows and I had a source of decent income as an artiste.” Seasoned reggae guitarist Samaita Zindi of Transit Crew played at the former venue for close to four years. “This place has more space than either of the venues. There would be more demand for the venue since those that performed at Mannenberg and Book Café will have to share. We would be happy to be included in the new programme.” Zindi said Transit Crew is currently performing at Megga 3 Westgate. “We also played at Kebab for some time but we stopped during the rainy season because it was an outside venue.” An ardent music follower, Advocate Adam Kara said: “I love jazz and a wide array of music and I was a frequent patron of the former Book Café. I took a bet with Paul Brickhill that he would not have this venue ready for the official opening but I was amazed when I came here, in short — I lost the bet.” However, a former regular at Book Café, said the new place is bigger but lacks the privacy unlike the former venue at Fife Avenue shops. “I liked the privacy of former Mannenberg, I felt it was a bit private tucked upstairs at the shops. Parking was good despite sometimes problems with shoppers if there were bigger events. The acoustics are so poor I hope they will work on that, since it seems renovations are still in progress.” Last year in December, Brickhill dropped a bombshell that Book Café and Mannenberg were to close in the new year. “After 7500 concerts and functions, 650 public discussions, over 70 book launches, 35 theatre productions, staging of 150 international touring acts and countless new local acts and collaborations that emerged within, Harare’s iconic music and performing arts centre, Book Cafe and Mannenberg, will close its doors to the public in Fife Avenue Shopping Mall.” About 600 000 have entered the twin venues since opening, as Book Cafe in 1997 with Luck Street Blues, and Mannenberg in 2000 with historic performances by Africa’s great jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim. The two venues gave rise to the urban mbira phenomena, a Friday night institution in Harare’s nightlife, pioneered stand-up comedy, championed freedom of expression, laid the foundation for slam poetry, and created major youth and female arts development programmes. The venues were closely associated with many great jazz and blues acts in the early years, and latterly with the reggae renaissance sweeping Zimbabwe. Thursday night gave hope of the return of the best consistent venues for various artists. Prime Minister Tsvangirai gave a moving speech on the sorry state of the creative industry and how it can be improved. Tsvangirai launched his book At the Deep End at Book Café last year. |
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Sistaz Open Mic Celebrates International Women's Day
2012 Theme:
Connecting Girls, inspiring Futures
International
Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world on the 8th of March. It is a day when
women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions,
whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an
occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more
importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that
await future generations of women. A
time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of
courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary
role in the history of their countries and communities.
IWD is a
day to give a smile, a loving hug, lend a hand, share your time with another or
other sisters in solidarity and what better way to do so than with song, dance,
music and poetry? As has become
tradition with the F.L.A.M.E Project, Sistaz Open Mic joins the rest of the
world in celebrating ordinary women who have despite their circumstances paved
a way for the younger women artists to have better and more improved access
across the arts sectors. F.L.A.M.E also
encourages these young women artists to be relevant to their societies and communities
by bringing positive & continual improvement in the arts for the benefit of
the future generations.
F.L.A.M.E
acknowledges the following women among many others too many to mention:
Workshop Facilitators:
These women have
given their time freely to empower young women artists through the FLAME
‘Workshops for Women artists by Women artists’
Edith Katiji
WeUtonga(Recently won a NAMA for Outstanding Actress – Theatre)
Cleo Ndlovu
Dudu Manhenga
Aura Kawanzaruwa
Judith Chiyangwa
Rudo Chakanyuka
Virginia
Phiri(Creative Enterprise Course)
Women who recorded albums recently:
Hope Masike
Clare Nyakujara
Inkanyezi
Thanda
Richardson
Blackbird
Tina Watyoka
Tamsanqa Moyo(Voted
Child-line Ambassador, 2011)
Edith WeUtonga
Prudence
Katomeni-Mbofana
Eyahra Mathazia
Vimbai Zimuto
Elsa Kamsoda
Gender Forum
Sally Dura
Cleo Ndlovu
Judith Chiyangwa
Administrators
Penny Yon
Linda Gabriel
(Former Project Officer)
We value and
celebrate all the women artists who have in one way or the other worked with
FLAME and contributed in the growth of the participation of women in the arts in Zimbabwe, given a hand or advice and
taken us to where we are today. HAPPY
WOMEN’S DAY TO YOU ALL. ENJOY IT IN
STYLE!!!
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