Malawian Filmmaker ‘Sukez’ Claims ‘Best Director In Southern Africa’ Award

By McLloyd Kudzingo


Local filmmaker Sukez, real name Gift Sukali, last night won the Best Director award In Southern Africa for his movie Fatsani, at the 8th SOTAMBE International Film and Arts Festival (SOTAMBE IFAF) that took place in Kitwe, Zambia.

The festival took place at Tsogo Sun Garden Court Hotel and was presided over by Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo.

Inspired by real life events, Fatsani A Tale Of Survival, centres around a young girl who lives with her grandmother and is forced to sell bananas in the streets for survival after her school closed due to sanitation issues and corruption.

In the movie, Fatsani suffers various forms of abuse from the ones who are supposed to protect her.

While accepting his award at the ceremony, Sukali who is also president for Films Association of Malawi, thanked his team for putting up much efforts in making Fatsani one of the best films in Africa.

He also thanked Malawians and people from other parts of the Continent for their support towards his production.

SOTAMBE IFAF was established in 2014 on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. In a local language SOTAMBE means “come and watch”.

This year, two Malawian films, _Fatsani_ and _Sowing Seeds_ were nominated for the awards at the regional Film festival.

The two competed with other productions from South Africa, Kenya, United States of America, Zambia, Cameroon, Uganda and Tanzania.