‘Lilongwe’, a movie that entails a story of a 13-year old girl, who later grows into a beautiful young woman who is still haunted by her past, scooped the Best Actress Award at the Shungu Namutitima Film Festival in Zambia last year.
However, Actress Joyce Mhango Chavula got consent very late about the award. It was only this Wednesday, that she got information pertaining ‘Lilongwe’s’ award which went to Brenda Mselu from organizers who took the incentive to find out if the award had been received.
Mhango Chavula explained that she had sent the film for possible screening but never got any feedback. The information about the festival was received through Arterial Network and only African films go into the competition as an international festival.
“Maybe I missed it until now when the festival director wrote me asking if we received the award yet,”
“Although late but I am excited that I have got the first international award for the film. This simply gives me strength to push further and do better. And this is also encouraging for Brenda as an actress,” said Mhango Chavula.
The vice president of National Theatre Association of Malawi (Ntam) and Film Association of Malawi (Fama) said she was now following up with them to make sure that the award gets to them.
Meanwhile Mhango Chavula is still calling for more votes from Malawians to do well in the AMVCAs.
Mhango Chavula received a nomination in one of the newly introduced categories – Best Movie for Southern Africa.
The nominees were announced late last year and the public voting opened immediately after the announcement and closes on February 26, 2016.
Mhango Chavula faces competition from Sara Bletcher for her movie titled ‘Ayanda’ and Akin Omotosho’s ‘Tell Me Something’.
