Zambian actress and film maker Nancy Handabile has been recognized among the top eight Multi Choice female film makers in Southern African Development Community (SADC) for her role in directing Tizibika, Master Cook and her impressive performance in Love Games.
She has been recognized alongside The Walking Dead and Black Panther Zimbabwean actress Dana Gurira, Bostwana film maker Tumi Sejoe and fellow Zambian film makers Jessie Chisi and Rungano Nyoni.
Talking about her recognition, Nancy says it feels unreal: “It is rather surreal and awe inspiring to be recognized. Sometimes you work so hard thinking that no one is noticing you so this really feels like the late nights and early mornings are paying off.”
Nancy’s recognition comes on the heels of her stellar performance in Love Games where she played the character Progress. This earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination in the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) in 2014.
She also directed Tizibika, a mock reality show about two women trying to be famous using social media. Despite the number of Zambian women stepping behind the camera to direct and produce, Nancy says more can be done.
“There is some progress in that there are women directing but the numbers are not as great as they should be. We need more women Directors, Producers, Editors and Sound Engineers. That’s the real change that we need, seeing women in traditionally male fields excelling.”
Nancy hopes film making can get more support in Zambia.
“I hope that in future we see more financing opportunities for filmmakers in this country. This will help indie filmmakers advance. We also need training and scholarship opportunities for young people in country.”
Nancy co-directed and stars in Masauso, a TV show that is currently showing on Zambezi Magic.
By Hope Mkunte
Congratulations!
Show them! Wow them! Zambia has talent but the government does nothing to develop the arts industry. China has put lots of finances and efforts in preserving its culture . That is a strategy we can copy
Wonderful!
I like Masauso at least actors/actresses try to be who they are, real….especially when speaking and the story line relates to komboni happenings though it needs polishing up……Zuba is too exaggerated for what it is….Mpali yeve hmmm kaya, every setup does not match to what they purport the story to be…Nguzu is supposed to be rich but the home setup doesn’t match….rich maybe by komboni or illerate kind of….but still ni kaya….and it’s too much talk of master bedroom…..portraying a very wrong message to the young ones…coz kids will be tormented with imagination of what goes on in there…they kind have an idea…but imagination will be too much for them coz we can’t pretend they never watch that coz they do….
Nancy Handabile is moslem from what I hear. But the color of her hood is does not suggest that.
Well done Nancy.
.5 She is not a muslim. Salvation Army. Congratulations sis