Lake of Stars director Will Jameson has revealed that the international festival is a big doubt this year due to lack of funding.

This revelation comes after Jameson hinted the festival’s return from last year’s hiatus.

With the development, Jameson says they will not hold the festival this year although he was optimistic that they were working hard to secure funding and once secured, the festival will be back on the shores of Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi.

“At the moment there is no festival as there is no funding or sponsorship available. If a sponsor does get on board then that would change things but for now we have to say the plans we had have been stopped,” Jamieson said on Thursday.

Lake of Stars have since placed an update on their website.

“Hi all just wanted to update you on the project.

Since our 2011 festival, which was our best yet, we have been looking to put together a sustainable funding plan for the festival. We have tried a wide array of avenues and continue to engage with potential partners.

“Unfortunately we have not yet secured the funding needed to take the event forward this year so currently we are not planning a Lake of Stars Festival for 2013,” reads the statement on the website.

The development is a big blow to fun-seeking Malawians, who were anticipating the comeback of the festival, which has attracted a lot of interest from both locals and foreigners.

In the absence of Lake of Stars, last year musician Lucius Banda and Sunbird Nkopola Lodge partnered to hold the Sand Music Festival and so this will give them another chance to hold another event.

When they announced that they were taking a break last year, there were speculations that this was the end of Lake of Stars but Jameson insisted they were still in the game and that they would make a return.

“We remain committed to the principles of the project promoting Malawian tourism, music and culture through international exchange, so are looking at ways that we can celebrate 10 years of the festival in the UK and Malawi,” he said.

He maintained that despite failing on funding and holding the festival, they still have plans for 2013 and that they will come out clear in due course.

“I can’t yet discuss our plans for 2013 as we are still developing them. I hope to be able to confirm details towards the end of this month. We are doing all we can to return to Malawi and put on some events later in the year,” said Jameson.