By Suleman Chitera

The Malawian short film Strike A Blow and Die, directed by renowned filmmaker Shemu Joyah, was nominated for the Best Short Film award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) held in Nigeria yesterday but fell short of winning. The film, which tells the story of legendary freedom fighter Reverend John Chilembwe, was in the running for the prestigious Efere Ozako Best Short Film award.

Despite the strong message and historical significance of the film, Strike A Blow and Die was up against a tough field of seven short films. Ultimately, the award went to The Last Shoemaker, a short film from Uganda.

Reflecting on the outcome, Joyah expressed mixed emotions. “We would have loved to win, but it was not our time. However, simply being nominated is a great honor and confirms that we did something impactful,” he remarked.

Currently, Strike A Blow and Die consists of only two short scenes as Joyah is still in the process of securing funds to turn it into a full-length feature film. The short film is available for viewing on the Iplus platform, where it continues to inspire viewers with its portrayal of Malawi’s history and the fight for independence.