Suzyo Mwale is an ambitious and passionate filmmaker who has turned his personal struggles into a powerful source of inspiration for his career in Zambia’s growing film industry. As the founder of Zambezi Rock Studios and a project manager with Lawrence Thomson Films, Suzyo has made a name for himself as a talented writer, director, and editor.
Suzyo’s journey into filmmaking is deeply personal. Born and raised in a family of five, Suzyo is the eldest of three sisters and two brothers. His family has always supported his ambitions, with his mother being his biggest fan and the first person he pitches his creative ideas. However, his path to the film industry wasn’t straightforward.
As a young boy, Suzyo was diagnosed with a serious heart condition that forced him to stop attending school and confined him to a wheelchair. In 2014, he underwent life-saving surgery in India.
It was during this difficult period that Suzyo discovered his passion for film. Watching stories come to life on screen gave him hope and became the spark that ignited his dream of becoming a filmmaker. “Film actually saved my life,” Suzyo recalls. “Seeing how stories came to life on the screen made me feel that anything was possible, and I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker.”
Suzyo attended primary school at South End and completed his secondary education at Munali Boys Secondary School. During high school, he began writing short stories, which he shared with classmates eager to read his work. This early success inspired him to pursue storytelling seriously. His first book, Fly Away, was published and sold a few copies, marking the beginning of his journey as a storyteller.
In 2015, Suzyo transitioned from writing to filmmaking. His first short film, Blunder, earned him the Best Southern Africa Short Film award at the Sotambe Film Festival, a major milestone in his budding career.
Despite these early achievements, Suzyo lacked formal training in filmmaking until he applied to the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF). After seeing an advertisement for MTF on television, Suzyo immediately knew this was the opportunity he had been waiting for. He applied for the 2019 cohort but was not selected. Undeterred, he applied again the following year and was accepted.
The MTF experience proved to be life-changing for Suzyo. “Being at MTF meant a lot to me. I emptied my cup, came in with a blank page, and was ready to learn as much as I could. It really changed my life,” he explains. During the program, Suzyo sharpened his skills, learning to think outside the box and push the boundaries of his creativity. One of the highlights was working with SuperSport on live football broadcasts, which exposed him to the teamwork and coordination required in large-scale productions.
Since completing MTF, Suzyo has worked on a variety of projects, including short films, music videos, TV commercials, and high-profile productions. He credits MTF with giving him the skills and confidence to take on major projects, such as the two TV drama series Falls and Nyami that he is currently developing.
Today, Suzyo continues to expand his horizons as a filmmaker. Through his work with Lawrence Thomson Films, he has taken on prestigious projects, including working with Al Jazeera. Suzyo’s journey from self-taught storyteller to award-winning filmmaker and industry leader serves as an inspiration to aspiring creatives in Zambia and beyond.
For Suzyo, film is more than just entertainment. It is a powerful tool for conveying messages and telling captivating stories. His passion, combined with his determination to push the boundaries of his craft, has positioned him as a rising star in Zambia’s creative industry.
With numerous exciting projects on the horizon, Suzyo Mwale is a filmmaker to watch, as he continues to tell powerful stories that resonate both locally and internationally.
