Lola Kenya Screen Winds Up n Style

By Joyce Wanja

August 16, 2008 marked the drawing of the curtains on the 3rd annual Lola Kenya Screen film festival which was set to run for six days from the 11th of August. Everyone was busy here and there from the organizers to the participants to ensure that everything was set for the long awaited closing ceremony.

It was one joyous and yet a sad moment for the participants; a happy moment because their efforts were to be awarded and a sad moment because they had to say goodbye to their colleagues. For a short while, they gathered and engaged themselves in a conversation that explored their journey from the beginning of the film festival and the challenges they encountered together with the ups and down they had. It was with no doubt that the training throughout the festival had made them even better people.

The closing ceremony was scheduled to start at 5pm but was delayed and it eventually kicked off at 6pm. Parents, friends and film stars started streaming into the hall. This was quite an encouragement for the participants since it was a great show of support.

After a short while, the programme for the closing ceremony started. The start was one of a kind since it kicked off with an exciting entertainment from 12-year-old MC Chee and her 8-year-old sister Jojo who peformed mainly spiritual songs in hip hop style. They were followed by one Hellen Akoth-Mtawali and her Afrizo singers from Daystar University who delivered their Africa-styled songs powerfully. Their songs were so captivating they fully caught the audience’s attention.

After entertainment, Ogova Ondego who is the director of Lola Kenya screen was called upon to give a speech. He Started by defining the name Lola and its origin which means watching moving images. He outlined its objectives and reasons as to why it was founded. He emphasized on this year's theme for the film festival which was Peace-Building for a justand sustainable future. Ogova Ondego believes that Children and youth have talents and they need a platform to showcase their creativity. That’s why he says that Lola Kenya screen is and will continue being a home of nurturing talents and creativity. Finally, he says that success is born when preparation meets opportunity and that is why he has made the festival an annual event so as to ensure interested parties get the opportunity to participate.

After his speech, it was time to introduce the participants in the various workshops by their teachers. From film jury to press and finally the production workshop, every participant got the chance to say what they had learnt during the festival.

The stage was then taken over by Signe Zeilich-Jensen and her team from the film jury which comprised Sharon Fortunate Mazviha from Zimbabwe, Wangare Mumbi Kiarie of Nairobi, Yvonne Kongu of Kiserian and Ian Mbae from Kenya. They announced and awarded the winning films.

Later on, two comic films were screened and thereafter cocktail was served. People interacted and laughter filled the air as they chatted here and there. This marked the end of the colourful closing ceremory. Indeed, the 3rd annual Lola Kenya screen film festival drew down its curtains in style

About the writer

Joyce Wanja, 17, is a member of the Lola Kenya Screen 2008 Festival Press. She attends Moi Forces Academy, Lanet, Kenya.