Wandile Mloyi
ZIMBABWE’S first Ndebele Sci-Fi film The Signal, was on Wednesday night released to be watched all over the world through Watchdust channel.
Watchdust is YouTube Sci-Fi’s most popular channel.
Sci-fi is a film genre that uses speculative, fictional science-based depictions of phenomena that are not fully accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial lifeforms, spacecraft, robots, cyborgs, dinosaurs, interstellar travel, time travel, or other technologies.
Fully known as science fiction films, these movie productions have often been used to focus on political or social issues, and to explore philosophical issues like the human condition.
The Signal is a 20-minute Sci-Fi film which was directed by Zimbabwe-born actor and filmmaker, Daniel Lasker, who is famed for his acting role in the United States of America (USA) film Raised By Wolves which premièred on HBO Max channel.
Lasker said he is happy with the progress that the film The Signal has made.
“The film has so far won seven awards at festivals worldwide and has had incredible feedback from audiences who have viewed it. I’m so proud that a film from Bulawayo has been making waves around the world and it can now be viewed on Watchdust which is another great progress,” he said.
Lasker said his wish was that everyone watches the film without limitations and he was happy that it was now happening.
“My team and I have been loving the journey. Our hard work has been so worth it and we are looking forward to a wider audience now enjoying the film online for free,” said Lasker.
He also mentioned that Zimbabwe arts enthusiasts have been supportive and he pleaded that they continue in that spirit.
“Zimbabweans at home and in the diaspora have been widely celebrating it on social media and they are excited to see such a first product make waves and get a positive response,” said Lasker.
The flick was previously recognised as Best Live Short Film in Brooklyn Sci-fi Film Festival held in New York.
Last year, Lasker got the Best Director’s award for cultural impact at Film Quest held in Utah before the production was named the Best Short Film at Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF).