By Frederick Philander WINDHOEK Several international experts will take part in an important two-day consultative meeting of all stakeholders in the Namibian film industry that starts this morning at the Safari Hotel. This was announced in a statement by the secretary of the Namibian Film Commission, Edwin Kanguatjivi, last week. “This meeting stems from an initiative by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting to engage stakeholders in the Namibian film industry in meaningful discussions on how best the ministry, the Namibian Film Commission and filmmakers can work together in building a vibrant and sustainable film industry,” said Kanguatjivi. The keynote address will be delivered by John Mutorwa, Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture. The opening speech will be delivered by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. According to a press release, the following relevant film industry topics will be discussed: an overview of the Namibian film industry, a panel discussion on the current industry, experiences, challenges and the way forward for the local industry, the state of film and video training opportunities in Africa, the marketing of Namibia as a film location, co-production treaties, the present state of the Namibian Film Commission and film financing. Among the foreign invited guests to actively take part in the meeting are Pedro Pimenta, a former director of UNESCO’s film and video unit in Zimbabwe and the chairperson of the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa, Eddie Mbalo. It is expected that all stakeholders in the Namibian film industry will be present at the consultative meeting that will be officially closed with a gala reception tomorrow evening.