BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—A Malawian film titled, ” See Me See Abilities” has been nominated for 2016 International Short Film festival awards slated for Australia.The film was selected the finalist at “Focus on Ability” (FOA) drawing entries from every continent. About 17 countries across the global have been represented in this year’s FOA International with great prizes up for grabs.
Meanwhile, voting has started calling and Malawians are encouraged to vote for this film perhaps it could win.
The film was edited and submitted by MacDonald Nyirenda with support from Sustainable Rural Growth and Development Initiative (SRGDI) in partnership with Digital Multimedia Solutions (DMS) local organizations based in Blantyre.
The “See Me See Abilities” film is a story of a 28-year old Sautso Ndalama, a Malawian Video Editor and DJ living with “no hands”.
Ndalama has defied all odds by using his feet and legs to become a trusted Video Editor and club DJ. The Video editor Ndalama was also amongst achievers in 2015 Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Grammy Awards.
The voting period for the awards runs from 27th July to 8th August 2016 whose main prizes including US$ 50iTunes vouchers, a Toshiba laptop and some other surprises to be announced during the actual day of the awards.
In an exclusive interview with The Maravi Post on Saturday evening, The Filmmaker Nyirenda who is behind “See Me See Abilities”, calls for support through voting that the film gets the award.
Nyirenda, a student at The Malawi Polytechnic in the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism said the film’s nomination is a milestone for Ndalama to achieve his goals in his carrier.
Filmmaker Nyirenda encourages African countries including Malawians to vote in large numbers and comment on the film for it to win.
“Voting for his film, you will help Sautso achieve his dream of establishing and owning a quality video studio. I therefore please to all Malawians and everyone across the world vote for his video on this link; http://www.focusonability.com./…/See_Me_See_Abilities_971…
“Malawian film is titled “See Me See Abilities” then click vote. Upon clicking vote you will be taken to enter your details on a voting window. In state space type the same in Suburb /town space (if you are in Malawi).
“For Postal Zip, type +265. Please in the email address space, provide email address that you own its password, then click submit vote button,” said Nyirenda.
He added that once one has submitted needs to go into their email in boxes and open the email sent from “Focus on Ability” and click the link to verify your vote so that it is counted. A person is allowed to vote once.
“Voter also stand a chance of winning $50iTunes vouchers, a Toshiba laptop and some other surprises to be announced just for voting, but they have to verify their vote,” encouraged Nyirenda.
One of last year’s judges, an award-winning Director Di Drew said, “These short films and documentaries break down the barriers for people with a disability to participate fully in society, mainly through encouraging viewers to shift their perspectives.