Slum Cinema Project Kicks Off in Zimbabwe

Mbare, where the launch occurred. Photo by Ethel Kabwato

A new project named Slum Cinema has just begun in Zimbabwe. Funded by BasicViews Foundation (Netherlands), the project aims promotes "the screening of feature films and documentaries in slums and deprived areas for the purpose of creating awareness of issues affecting such communities, for example, HIV and AIDS, human trafficking, peace and conflict, migration, teenage pregnancies, youth human rights issues, bullying in schools, alcohol and drug abuse."



The program coordinator, Ethel Kabwato, has said: "These screenings are followed by discussion forums which aim at engaging the youth in dialogue and raising awareness of communities, stake holders, policymakers and decision makers and thereby enabling them to contribute to policymaking and employment creation."

"Slum Cinema (Zimbabwe) realises that film is a widely accessible medium that can reach those with limited literacy skills and has the added advantage of cutting across all age groups (both male and female)", writes Kabwato.



The organisation was launched on the 16th of June at Mai Misodzi Hall in Mbare, Harare. It will help youth excel in telling their own stories using video, digital photography, mobile phones, audio recorders and other web based technologies. All video reports are uploaded on the international Slum Cinema exchange web and database network and shown to members, communities and other audiences.



According to Kabwato, "Slum Cinema would have bridged the information gap in the slums and deprived communities by using the media as a tool for development."

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