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Instagram – photography

Instagram – photography

November 23, 2018 By Johan Nayar 0 Uncategorized

johanrnayar

Busy film month again! October brings me back to @ Busy film month again! October brings me back to @londonbreezefilmfestival , where The Banjo Boys had its world premiere in 2025.This year I’m on the jury for International Short Documentaries. Judging art is a lot harder than judging sport.I’m also heading up for the opening night film on 21st October at 7.30pm: In Love Chaos Kin by @realtalkies Chithra, Lisandro Boccacci and I shared the winners’ trophy at Bare Bones in Oklahoma back in March, plus Bonehead awards for our boneheaded determination. My film took six years to make, hers took eight. Think Boyhood, but Girlhood.Looking forward to catching up with @sam_cullis @mbb.casey @geri.perry1
I'm so delighted that The Banjo Boys has picked up I'm so delighted that The Banjo Boys has picked up two more wins. We're now in double digits.This one stands out, not only because it's on home turf, but because it's the first time the music department has been credited. The awards are for the tracks, by @madalitsoband , and the original score, which my brother @neilnayar and I composed together. Neil brought the folkier sound, while I focused on the more ambient, electronic feel for some of the story's more supernatural elements.Of course, none of this would be possible without our amazing producer, @timdelhaes A special thanks also to @bucketofsound for a fantastic job on sound design, and to @stevemccarten_official for hosting the Bournemouth International Film Festival, now in its second year and already feeling like a staple of the Bournemouth calendar. Onwards and upwards for that project.Huge thanks to Emmanuel Kamwenje, who first recorded Madalitso Band's early tracks, to Merril Wubslin for her "desert rock" track, and to Rancho de la Luna Studio and Paul Fraser for welcoming us in. And to the festivals that gave us access and recordings that became part of the soundtrack, Joshua Tree, WOMAD, Dar es Salaam, Cosmo Jazz, and many more.
The Banjo Boys has finally come home to Bournemout The Banjo Boys has finally come home to Bournemouth, where the idea for a short, and later the feature, first took shape.It was a very special evening presenting the film to my own community. A huge thank you to @stevemccarten_official and the @bournemouthfilmfest team, and to @callmesfm , who all did a brilliant job, Stuart with a really lovely Q&A. Thank you too to the friends who came along and to the whole audience. It was great to have you all there.Awards night tonight. Fingers crossed.Shout out to lead producer @timdelhaes, @madalitsoband @neilnayar for letting us tell their story.
The quiet before the storm. All set for Bournemout The quiet before the storm. All set for Bournemouth International Film Festival 2026.The Banjo Boys screens tonight on opening night, 7.30pm at the Hilton, with a Q&A after the film hosted by Stuart Marshall.
After being a finalist at the last couple of festi After being a finalist at the last couple of festivals and missing out, I'm delighted to say The Banjo Boys has won Best Documentary Feature at the Gloucester Independent Film Festival, our eighth win. Could not have done this without @timdelhaes @neilnayar and @madalitsobandWhat makes this one special is that it's a festival for filmmakers made by filmmakers, (huge thank you @joshylee_ @oscarwenmanhyde ), so the recognition means a lot. It was an amazing weekend a lovely walk in the Cotswolds, and a catch-up with an old friend. Then on Sunday I skipped our own screening but did watch some really cool films, but it was great to speak to people about it afterwards. With the grand finale being the awards night.A huge thank you to Joshy and Oscar for having us.And a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the film and kept our motivation up when it comes to applying to festivals: @callmesfm @ladymaggiemagica @mbb.casey @sam_cullis @geri.perry1 @londonbreezefilmfestival @bournemouthfilmfest @cityeye_media @seeyousoundfestivalIt was also great to meet @cathywippell @ravenhill.films @kitbrown_film @lewis_jhill @isobellambiefilm at the festival - hope you had a wonderful evening.
We're finalists again! The Banjo Boys is screening We're finalists again! The Banjo Boys is screening at Gloucester Independent Film Festival this Sunday, 4 October, 12.15pm, at Gloucester Guildhall.Part of Screening VI, a programme about music, movement and the connections that carry us through life, from Malawi to East London, Brighton to Japan and everywhere in between. Five films filled with rhythm, romance, resilience and the bittersweet beauty of chasing dreams, finding your people, and learning when to hold on and when to let go.Tickets on banjoboys.com, link in bio.
Enjoying the earlier sunsets these days. Last nigh Enjoying the earlier sunsets these days. Last night was a good one...
The Banjo Boys comes to Gloucester 🎬After an aut The Banjo Boys comes to Gloucester 🎬After an autumn run through Wales, Colombia, Malawi, Long Island and the Serbian premiere in Belgrade, we're screening at Gloucester Independent Film Festival at Gloucester Guildhall on Sunday 4 October at 12.15pm.Cut in Bournemouth by a local crew, with the Square and Compass in Dorset standing in for all of England. A Southwest film at heart.Tickets for our screening via the link in bio. We'd recommend making a day of it and catching the whole festival.Pictured: us at Yobu's abode.
Earlier this month I ended up out at Watch Africa Earlier this month I ended up out at Watch Africa Film Festival, and it was a brilliant experience. Thankfully there was a photographer on hand, because if there was one thing I learned in Oklahoma, "if you ain't got photos, it didn't happen."Our hosts were incredibly generous, and it was amazing to be part of a whole week of African screenings. Also really great to chat with Tim, a musician and filmmaker himself, who hosted the Q&A.A huge thank you to the Watch Africa team @fid02 @rosemary.adjoa.dery , and to Chapter Arts, such a lovely venue.Photos courtesy of @lm_shek.
Last week was an amazing week, and thanks to some Last week was an amazing week, and thanks to some incredible support from our team, we're coming up on one year of The Banjo Boys on the festival circuit, with at least one screening a month since our launch at @londonbreezefilmfestivalWe had three African screenings in the space of a few days, and it's been amazing, here's all the info.The only one I made it to in person was in Cardiff (we were a finalist) with @fid02 and @rosemary.adjoa.dery , and it was a brilliant time. Caught a couple of great films while I was there, including one called Memory of Princess Mumbi, an Afrofuturist piece that really stood out. They did a great job with that one.I had to miss the other two. The Quibdó África Film Festival (@quibdoafricafilmfestival ), in my favourite place in South America, Colombia, had to move its screening to Bogotá following the disaster there. And after that the European Film Festival Lilongwe, in Malawi, my favourite place in Africa.Now we're gearing up for a return to the UK. The Banjo Boys is coming home to the Bournemouth International Film Festival on 9 October, and we'll also be at the Gloucester Independent Film Festival on 3 October (link in bio).
A beautiful morning to be on the south coast A beautiful morning to be on the south coast
It's a rainy weekend out here in Cardiff, but very It's a rainy weekend out here in Cardiff, but very excited to be presenting The Banjo Boys to a Welsh audience (it's the Welsh Premiere).This afternoon at 4pm the show begins followed by a Q&A.Thank you @watchafricafilmfestival for having us @fid02 @rosemary.adjoa.dery @the_banjoboys
It's coming home.The Banjo Boys was conceived ba It's coming home.The Banjo Boys was conceived back in 2019 in my Bournemouth flat, when I took a week off my day job to spend with my brother and Madalitso Band. Mum's place in Dorset became their de facto base during their stays here, and that's where the filming started. Whenever the opportunity and funds came up after that, I kept capturing moments of their lives, on the road and eventually back home too.I ended up with 5 terabytes of footage on a drive, and in fits and starts, with a lot of help from the team, shaped it into a feature documentary.When things started opening up again I found two brilliant local talents, Simon Ward on VFX and Guy Dowsett on sound design, and the film properly came together.So it means a great deal to say the film is coming home. Lilongwe, Malawi will always be its spiritual home, but its creative heart is Bournemouth.This image is Yosefe and Neil, a quiet moment together in Joshua Tree National Park (when they played @joshuatreemusicfestival ) We've always had to pick our fights on this one, funds and time only stretch so far. But the chance to follow the band out there was one we couldn't pass up. It didn't disappoint, and it made the cut.Thank you @bournemouthfilmfest for this selection. This one's special to us.
Madalitso Band have officially circumnavigated the Madalitso Band have officially circumnavigated the globe.After incredible tours through Japan, Korea and Canada, Yobu and Yosefe have landed back in Malawi for a well earned rest before the next chapter begins. And there's already talk of a return to the UK next year.This photo is a slice of that journey. Chateau de Barbezieux, western France, 2022. Both the chateau and Bordeaux appear in the film. We'd driven up from Bordeaux and during sound check at the chateau, we shot this on the Blackmagic at 100fps with smoke drifting through the frame, one of those unplanned moments that became one of the most iconic shots in the film.Looking forward to having the film in Bordeaux at Musical Ecran in November.
The Banjo Boys returns to South Africa tomorrow. The Banjo Boys returns to South Africa tomorrow.If anyone is over in Durban, or has friends there, it would be great to have you at the screening.https://www.themusicimbizo.co.za/2026-film-festival/
Spent last Tuesday evening with City Eye Film Netw Spent last Tuesday evening with City Eye Film Network putting together a presentation ahead of our Madalitso Experience on the south coast. City Eye have backed this film for years, long before award season or festival selections, and it means a lot to have them in the room again. More on the night itself soon.Thanks to Oliver Collins for the photos.
Yesterday was a very Malawian evening, right on th Yesterday was a very Malawian evening, right on their independence day. We went to London to see The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, a musical. George Harrison, the dramaturg who brought this show to life, joined us at our last Madalitso Experience. Getting the invite back to see their production was great.Watching William Kamkwamba's story told through musical theatre was incredible. The set design was impressive, the dog puppet included, and the actor playing William gave a great performance.There are some striking parallels between his story and ours. Resilience, stubbornness, being called crazy for following what you believe in.Nice to be with mum and my aunt too that evening too.
Madalitso Band just rocked crowds in Holland and n Madalitso Band just rocked crowds in Holland and now they're heading back to the UK. This time they're bringing the full experience to the South Coast for the first time ever.Only once before have we put the film and the band together in one night, and the London experience at the iconic Troubadour was truly incredible. Now it's happening again in Southampton.16 July. The Banjo Boys screens at Harbour Lights, 6.30pm. Straight after, @madalitsoband play live at @thebrooksoton 9pm, doors 8.45. Two men from Malawi who built their own instruments from scratch, still touring the world with them.Very excited to be chatting with @mbb.casey of @londonbreezefilmfestival again during the Q&A. We will also be teaming up with @smbeckett and @aaron.j.west of @cityeye_mediaTickets: banjoboys.com/exp
It was a huge moment for our film. A lovely write- It was a huge moment for our film. A lovely write-up in the Daily Echo about our House of Lords escapades (a huge thank you @ladymaggiemagica), ahead of bringing the full Madalitso Experience to the South Coast for the first time ever.All those years of rocking the mic as the front-man of psychedelic rock and live electro bands have transferred into doing more public speaking of late. I even did my best Welsh impression of Cerys Matthews' line about Yobu's bass, "a seven foot slide bass....that sounds great in isolation." Lord Kinnock seemed to approve (well, he was not aghast at the very least).Visit: www.banjoboys.com/exp for the Madalitso Experience, would love to see you there, the inaugural one in London really was a blast.Looking forward to teaming up with Susan Beckett of @cityeye_media who are kindly supporting this event, as well as the venues themselves, @harbourlightspicturehouse (Picturehouse) and @thebrooksoton. In addition we are excited to team up with @mbb.casey of @londonbreezefilmfestival for the director's Q&A.
After having a deep conversation with @actorjamiel After having a deep conversation with @actorjamieleehill many moons ago, and our shared love of Scandi directors and Nordic Noirs, we teamed up with myself as writer-director and Jamie as actor-producer on a new concept called Death Coach. Whilst it is a standalone short in the psychological-thriller genre, it will also serve as a proof-of-concept for a much larger feature film.We teamed up with the fantastic actress, @leonievincent . The Glass Dome) and the performances from both leads on the day were captivating.@julianbutterworth did a stellar job with the cinematography too. And it was great to team up again with @bucketofsound and @j.y.creativeand are now already midway through post-production thanks to Adrian Conlon doing a phenomenal job in the cutting room. More on this later...
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