Unitel Angola Move, which also intends to be a film festival, was presented this Wednesday in Luanda and plans to annually award one work in each of the categories, based on a mixed vote (public votes and jury election).
For actor Sílvio Nascimento, one of the curators of the initiative, the award will serve to massify national cinema and make it come out of its state of cinematographic lethargy, mobilizing professionals to pursue recognition.
"Now Angolans know that they have a national festival that covers all Angolans and everyone will work hard and proud to make more films, to tell our story," said the actor, who has a wide list of participations, to Lusa in movies, series and soap operas.
Sílvio Nascimento was nominated three times at Emmys and won the first Golden Globe in Angola, in the category of best actor, in 2018.
Nascimento underlined that for the cinema sector in Angola it has been "very hard" to face the pandemic, even because the 'lockdown' (confinement) of culture has dragged on for years.
"It's time to raise your arms. Theatre, cinema, television, performing arts and audiovisual have always had this problem of lack of support", noted the actor, praising the support of private parties to the sector, with "significant values" .
"It is the beginning of a journey and, if Unitel has joined, other patrons, other businessmen may also feel motivated," he exhorted.
Sílvio Nascimento lamented, on the other hand, the lack of public support: "We have many laws, but we are not effective, we, as culture makers, already realize that we are often alone and we will no longer even ask for responsibility or recognition government, we are doing it for us and trying to encourage other entities to fulfill their legal duty to support Angolan culture".
In addition to Sílvio Nascimento, actors Miguel Hurst and Joel Benoliel are also part of the curatorship, and the jury consists of director Maria João Ganga, director, screenwriter and television professional Alberto Botelho, actors Orlando Sérgio, Lesliana Pereira and Fredy Costa, and journalist Walter Cristóvão.
Candidates can present their works until August 31st, and only films produced between 2019 and 2021 can be submitted.
The best feature film receives a prize of 13 million kwanzas, with five million kwanzas being awarded to the best short film, seven million kwanzas to the best documentary, and two million kwanzas in recognition of the theater.
On October 8th there will be a gala where the winners will be known.
