A 12-YEAR-OLD boy carries on his young shoulder the next generation of actors in Zimbabwe.
Tyler Gurure, who featured as ‘‘Nashe’’ in the 2021 feature film, ‘‘Nevanji’’, was on Saturday crowned Best Zimbabwean Actor, at the just ended Zimbabwe International Film Festival.
This was only Tyler’s first acting role and the feat made him the first youngest actor to land the prestigious award.
As if that was not enough, Tyler was up against Zimbabwe’s top actors and actresses.
‘‘Nevanji’’ director, Tafadzwa Nevanji, described Tyler as the next big thing.
“His energy on screen is contagious, when we made this film I knew that we had given birth to a superstar.
“I can’t explain how I really feel right now save to say Tyler has made history as the youngest actor to win the award and I am proud to have helped him achieve that,” said Nevanji.
The event also saw former Miss Zimbabwe 2011, Malaika Mushandu, walking away with three awards for Best Director, Best Film and Best Actress, all from her film-Mirage.
Mushandu, who was only making her debut entry at the ZIFF, feels local film making requires a collective approach.
“I am thrilled!
“Glory be to God, it’s a bit encouraging being recognised at home by our own people, it’s heart-warming and thank you Zimbabwe.
“I feel it’s important that Africans tell their own stories and not have a second party tell the story in a biased way.
“I call on filmmakers, and the consumers, to collectively come together to put Zimbabwe on the map,” she said.
The film was recorded in separate locations, including Nyanga, Chikurubi Female Maximum Prison and Harare.
Mirage has already been submitted to Netflix and she hopes it will be taken to a wider audience.
The cast is made up of Prudence Katomeni Mbofana, Chipo Bizure, Charmaine Mujeri, Eunice Tava, Joylene Mangena, Taurai Kawara, Doc Vikela, Rumbi Takawira, King Her, Kenny Kondo, Stewart Sakarombe.
Mai Chisamba and Steward Sakarombe were also honoured at the event.
The Zimbabwe International Film Festival ran from September 14 to 17 under the theme: Reconnecting.
Films that were screened during the four-day festival include Shaina, Nevanji, African Moot, Cinemability and The Signal.
Source:Hmetro
