New film company launched

Independence Avenue Films celebrated its launch earlier this week by presenting the Namibian Premier of Jean-Pierre Bekolo’s film The President (Cameroon) and Najat Jellab’s short film The Projectionist (Morocco)at the Warehouse Theatre. The drivers behind the new film company see a commercial opportunity by acting as local distributors for film content, and by fulfilling the role as film agent. Independence Avenue Films said it will focus on events, acting as a film agency and distributing film products in Namibia.

They will be addressing the lack of movie distribution and local film agencies and will serve as an institution to tackle the challenges faced by Namibian film products in terms of distribution, agency and marketing. They also want to focus on film related events, as they believe in the need and possibility to establish a cinema culture in Namibia. Independence Avenue Films said it is an ongoing project, adding that independence was not gained in one day and “should be a daily road travelled even today in order to address social, political or economic challenges. Art is part of this daily process to reflect and comment on social challenges, hence the name Independence Avenue Films.” The Projectionist, one of the films they showed at the launch is about love of cinema and an open call to the end of the decline of cinemas in Morocco in particular and in Africa in general.  The Projectionist won Best Short Film Award at The Harlem International Film Festival in 2013 and received a special mention at the 3rd  Luxor African Film Festival this year. Also screened at the launch, The President instead takes a look at current affairs. It asks questions about the responsibilities of those in power.