Malawi has the art of cinema, thanks Electric Pedals,

Among the most powerful tools available in the field of communication are topping the list of audiovisual products. They not only easily capture the attention of those who consume, but also manage to convey his message directly, can go beyond educational deficiencies, such knowledge does not read, they usually leave out a huge amount of people the flow of information is often relevant to the proper daily development.

With this in mind, the charitable organization founded in the United Kingdom Purple Field Productions (PFP) is responsible for producing, since 2004, educational and humanitarian films made with, and directed toward- individuals around the world in their own languages ​​and with their own problems.

Precisely to allow access for low-income people of Malawi to vital data to achieve a better quality of life was such a producer, with his socioTemwa which works in the country with community-based initiatives in education, health and agriculture-set lead to a cinema there.

To effectuate its initiative, PFP quickly encountered a basic problem: many remote and poor areas of Malawi do not have mains, sometimes do not even have enough fuel to power a generator.

It is for this reason that a third party joined the project. This is Electric Pedals, one of the pioneers in alternative energy generation, which developed an ingenious system: Rucksack Cinema, apparatus, by means of kinetic energy provided by a human being is capable of dealing with a projection.

The complete kit of this innovative film weighs just 20 kilos (so it can be easily transported by two people) and consists of a projector that fits into a backpack without major technical complexities. It is also provided with a pedal which, through a steady but relaxed movement, anyone can give you energy and make it work.

The project objective is to distribute the film in June, Ulimi Mchuma Chathu (Cultivating our wealth), by Malawian farmers able to spread new techniques to combat the effects of drought caused by climate change and help other workers of the earth improve productivity and sustainability of their business.

Doubling the bet and on the occasion of its tenth anniversary, the drivers of PFP are planning to hold a mobile film festival in 2014 The idea is that it takes place in the famous Ilala Ferry, which runs the Lake Malawi, stopping on different ports to show movies to their communities through Rucksack Cinema.

The ultimate intention is to not only produce parts that may be available to a wide audience in the African country, but also linked to other events and festivals to transform the lives and livelihoods of the poor. To this end, we are seeking sponsorship and support of those who want to participate.

What do you think of this exciting project? Where you’d take if you could?