Namibian Premiere: “Mwansa the Great” and Launch of “Inspiring Young Imaginations”, Saturday, 03 May 2014, 10 am, FNCC

AfricAvenir and the FNCC are launching yet another monthly film series "Inspiring Young Imaginations – African Films for Children and Youth". On Saturday, 03 May 2014 at 10 am AfricAvenir and FNCC invite you to the Opening Film "Mwansa the Great" in the Cinema of the FNCC. The screening series "Inspiring Young Imaginations – African Films for Children and Youth"is a joint project by AfricAvenir and the Franco Namibian Cultural Centre, supported by AfriCine. Entrance: 5 N$n“Mwansa the Great” was directed by Rungano Nyoni, and produced by Rungano Nyoni and Gabriel Gauchet in 2011. The duration of the movie is 23 minutes and it’s recommended for children between 7-12 years old. The movie is in Swahili with English subtitles.n

nSynopsis:
While trying to prove he is a hero, Mwansa an 8 year-old boy does the unforgivable and accidently breaks his sister’s magic mud doll. He goes on a quest not only to fix it, but to finally prove that he is ‘Mwansa the Great’.nAwards:
Griot Best Short Film – Tarifa African Film Festival in Spain, 2011
Audience Award – Vienna Independent Shorts in Austria, 2011
Best Directing – Naoussa International Film Festival in Greece, 2011nAbout the director:
Rungano Nyoni is a writer and director. She was born in Lusaka, Zambia, in 1982. Her name means Story or Storyteller in Shona. When she was 10 years old she moved with her mother to South Wales in the United Kingdom.
In the United Kingdom, Rungano completed her A-levels at Bishop of Handoff School in 2000 and later enrolled at Birmingham University to pursue her first degree in Business Studies in 2002. About this choice she says "I would have loved to study Arts right away but my parents suggested that I do Business Studies as a career so that I can have something to fall back on because acting is my talent".nUpon completing her degree at Birmingham University, she moved to London to pursue a career in acting, taking informal classes at the Method Studio. It was, however, not until she undertook a Masters in Screen (Acting Pathway) at the Central Saints Martins College of The Arts that her talent for directing began to flourish.nBefore graduating, Rungano directed the short film "The List" (2009) which won the BAFTA CYMRU. In the same year she also directed the short ’20 Questions’ (2009). n"Mwansa the Great’ she wrote, directed and produced in 2011 with financial assistance from Focus Features Africa First Program and UK Film Council. nOn achieving your dreams, she says in an interview:
"You should never ever give up under any circumstance on whatever you want to do in life. I earned what I have achieved and I have done every odd job in the United Kingdom to raise funds in order to achieve my dreams. I have worked as a cleaner, I have worked in a cinema, nightclub, shoe shop, name it! But I knew what I wanted and here I am".

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