Malawi’s street musician Lazarus has won the Disruptive Innovation Award (TDIA) which are part of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, United States.
This follows the successful screening of Lazarus’s documentary which its aim is to fight and end the killings of people living with albinism.
His producer Johan Hugo told the press that, “He has been recognised with a personal Disruptive Award after a documentary about his life and the role he is playing in demystifying issues surrounding people with albinism as well as promoting their lives was screened at the festival.”
The 26-minute documentary was produced by David Dard and pop star Madonna.
Lazarus has been in USA courtesy of Hugo where among other things he has been conducting live shows which its proceeds will be used to construct him and his family a safe house where no one can try to harm them.
Hugo discovered Lazarus through the help of Esau Mwamwanya, a Malawian national from the duo, “The Very Best”. He became interested with Lazarus’s skills after he watched a video in which Lazarus was performing using the local banjo in Lilongwe town.
ABOUT TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL
The Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) is a prominent film festival showcasing a diverse selection of independent films. Since its inaugural year in 2002, it has become a recognized outlet for independent filmmakers in all genres to release their work to a broad audience.
In 2006 and 2007, the Festival received over 8,600 film submissions and held 1,500 screenings.
The Festival’s program line-up includes a variety of independent films including documentaries, narrative features and shorts, as well as a program of family-friendly films.
Get Lazarus songs here