From: AKECH OBAT MASIRA
THE CONCERT PAPER
The Lake Victoria Basin Film Makers Guild (Kenya) an umbrella body of film makers, designers , scriptwriters , musicians, artistes based in Western Kenya region. The organization was founded in 2009 at the Kisumu Area Library during the international film workshop organized in Kisumu by the American Embassy and the Kenya International Film Festival (K.I.F.F) for the film makers based in Western Kenya.
It was founded to showcase the best artistic creations in film productions from the Lake Basin region .To create film productions that are driven to positively influence society .Film productions that are intended to positively influence and promote change in society . We believe our films should be viewed in respect of wider responsibility in society and not driven by desire to make money, like most film productions produced in other parts of Kenya. Our film making should be guided by interest of society and foster positive change .The Lake Victoria Basin Film Makers Guild ( Kenya )seeks to enhance creativity and provide platform for the local film makers based in the region and lastly to present the best film productions from the region. The
Lake Victoria Basin , with its breathtaking expanse of water and beautiful landscape surrounding it , is uniquely endowed with great filmic sites , natural historical monuments and great creative talents and untapped artistic potentials , that unfortunately has not been harnessed . If utilized well the Lake Victoria is going to be the next hub of film making in the Great Lakes Region. Lake and its basin is endowed with a variety of natural reserves that are local, regional and global benefit.”Lake Victoria; A hub for East African Development”. The organization was founded to celebrate cultural diversity and encourage artistic integration with broad range of filmic and theatre styles. To offer the people of the western Kenya region with unique opportunity to sample various forms of film making and artistic styles and expressions. To enable the region to tell their unique stories creatively without favour or fear. Develop its only style and its film industry.
It’s against this background that in 2010 the organization founded the first LAKE VICTORIA BASIN FILM/ THEATRE AND GOSPEL VIDEO AWARDS to showcase the best from the region and to recognize and reward their greatest artistes / directors/ producers (film/theatre/gospel/artistes)
It was also intended to establish a network with other film makers outside the region to exchange styles and techniques in the art of film making .To enable the local film makers participate in the national and international film festival.
A film is a story in conflict of humankind, film comprises of two vital aspects, namely the DESIRE and the DANGER. Desire is basically humankind’s yearning for happiness, satisfaction and sense of fulfillment, while the Danger is that life threatening, obstacles and opposition. Most films emanating from other parts of Kenya, unfortunately, lack emotions, so to speak. Yet an emotion is at the centre of film making.
The Awards ceremony was founded to invigorate film making as a hobby, as well as a profession to promote creative cultural expression in the region and beyond. Our main objective is therefore to increase the public interest and consciousness of film productions and creative progressive arts in general by providing organizational framework that will “market” the regional artistes nationally and internationally.
Its hoped that in the process the various field of creative artistic expressions will attract the most talented people in the region, particularly in theatre, film and gospel music. This promotion will go along way in increasing financial viability of artistic endeavor .Its our firm belief that only self sustaining artistic development that can be able to promote the Lake Victoria Basin film industry .We also hope that the local Governors in Lake Victoria Basin will embrace film and artistic expressions in their respective countries.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To showcase the best artistic creation (film/theatre/gospel) from the region.
To provide opportunities for the local film makers to participate in the national and international film festivals.
To exchange expertise, skills and experience through the medium of film and theatre productions (film festivals workshops and exchange programs)
To promote creative film making in the region
To make the region the new hub of film making to its unique natural historical monuments, Lake Victoria and its great filmic sites.
THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON REGIONAL ARTS.
The Lake Victoria : A hub for East African development – its considered to be the cradle of mankind as the first paleontological traces of humans have been found there. It’s also a home of an abundant wildlife resources which gives it a unique and great potential for prospering in tourism industry and film making – a new source of foreign exchange earnings and employment opportunities.
The Kisumu City is the center of the Great of Lakes Region and therefore the new hub of commercial and industrial development, tourism, cultural expressions and by large film industry.
The various arts in the region are therefore in the process of decline because they have been relegated to position of unprofitable enterprises.
This is because it has been realized that although there is abundant talent in the region. The challenge has been limited exposure, poor marketing strategies and related factors have reduced our film makers and artists to marginal positions in the society.
It’s hoped that in the in the process the various artistic activities (film /theatre/gospel) will attract the most talented people in the region and increase financial viability of artistic and endevour. It is our belief that only self sustaining artistic expressions can promote film industry and cultural development of the Western Kenya region.
A regional film/ theater/gospel/ video awards is the best vehicle for maintaining and promoting film industry and cultural development. It’s the intention the LAKE VICTORIA BASIN FILM/THEATER/GOSPEL VIDEO awards is to invigorate film industry and regional cultural development and therefore increase publics interest and consciousness of film and arts by providing organizational frame work that will market the regional film makers and artists both nationally and internationally.
THE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE AWARDS.
The justification for rewarding artists in film making in Western Kenya Region is self evident. The region has produced the most interesting, vivid and memorable performing artists in Kenya even before independence up to date. The greatest entertainers in Kenya. The history of Kenya arts and cultural activities is decorated by great talents in various artistic and cultural spheres from the region. These included areas like traditional and pop music, drama, cultural, writing, visual art, crafts and sports (Gor Mahia/AFC Leopards)Mashemeji tournament of love and rivalry.
Unfortunately, such talents emerged spontaneously and without organized local or national support consequently some of the best talents in the Lake Basin region have been “forced” to retire early into oblivion after a short period of success. This has led to the falling of regional cultural standards.
THE THEME.
“STRIVE FOR ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE IN FILM MAKING AND DEVELOPEMENTIN THE LAKE VICTORIA BASIN.”
THE SCOPE.
The 2nd LAKE VICTORIA BASIN FILM /THEATRE/GOSPEL/VIDEO AWARDS 2012.
The Awards will be held in the Kisumu Social Centre in Kisumu City , Kenya, to screen film made within the region. We also intend to screen film from the Coast Province. A few selected theatre artists will be invited to perform . Paper presentations will be delivered by film/ theatre scholars from the regional universities.
A jury of judges will be drawn from the two public Universities, namely, Maseno and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. Media Houses and Theatre personalities.
During awards ceremonies we will also use the occasion to pay tribute to the fallen great artist(VICTOR OGOLLA NYANGORE) formerly of Misango Arts Ensemble. He died mid this year.
THE EXHIBITIONS.
During the event we will also host art exhibitions (painting,sculpture,curvings and textile.) The items will be for sale.
THE MANAGEMENT OF THE REGIONAL AWARDS.
The management of the Lake Victoria Basin film/ theater/gospel video awards will be heired by the Department of Education. City Council of Kisumu (Mr. Emmanuel Obiero) other members are drawn from Maseno University, The Lake Victoria Basin Film Makers Guild (Kenya.)
The event will also explore means and ways of how to improve and enhancing the best techniques for creativity in film and gospel video productions in the region.
THE SPONSORSHIP.
The organization is seeking well wishers and partnership with various organizations to support the Lake Victoria Basin film industry. The sponsors will be given banner publicity before and during the event.
We are therefore appealing to the corporate society and charitable organizations to come forward and support the event. (publicity, transport, organizational costs and marketing, banners, artists fee, trophies/certificates ,cash sponsors to the awardees.
The interested sponsors should contact the chairman. Thanks.
AKECH OBAT MASIRA.
CHAIRMAN.
LAKE VICTORIA BASIN FILM MAKERS GUILD (KENYA)
P.O BOX 3599-40100
KISUMU, KENYA (EA)
TEL; +254726164954
Email;obatmasira@yahoo.com