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Profile

Research Areas
My research interests revolve around the dynamic world of film production, television, and photography, with a particular focus on the ways mobile and streaming technologies are shaping these industries. Iām passionate about exploring how these innovations enhance storytelling, influence viewer experiences, and drive the evolution of visual media. I also enjoy investigating the intersection of technology and creativity, uncovering new ways for filmmakers and audiences to connect.,
Profile
Dr. Lawrence Luhanga is a Lecturer in the Department of Film and Photography at the University of Malawi and a seasoned leader in film and television production with over a decade of industry experience. He earned his PhD in Communication from the University of South Africa, Masters in Communication Management (ICT) from Buckinghamshire New University, UK, and an undergrad in Associate of Applied Science in Television Technology from Chattahoochee Technical College, Georgia, USA. His extensive production work includes serving several film and TV gigs in the USA, then in Malawi, as First Assistant Director on an acclaimed film, "The Last Fishing Boat" by Shemu Joyah and as Production Manager on "Bella", a film directed by Tawonga Nkhonjera. While his expertise spans various aspects of film production, his focus has largely been on documentary filmmaking. His first film, "The Moon and Lake of Stars", which he wrote and produced, was screened at over 15 international film festivals and won an award. His film production company has served notable production houses like BBC Studios and clients across the international and local scenes. He continue to work on documentary film productions to date. Dr. Luhanga has also worked with Zodiak, Rainbow, and Times stations within the broader landscape of film and television production. His research and expertise cover film production, streaming technologies, mobile and wireless communication, cloud and mobile computing, and television broadcasting technology. Passionate about the evolving nature of the industry, he believes that filmmaking is increasingly driven by digital technologies, with distribution rapidly shifting from traditional cinema to online streaming platforms. He emphasizes that filmmakers must acquire computing-based skills to thrive in this changing landscape.
Publications
- Journal Article
Exploring second screening behaviors of participants in Blantyre, Malawi: Motivations and gratification implications (2024)
https://doi.org/10.26634/jhss.4.3.20876
- Journal Article
Examining handover success rates in mobile telecommunications: insights from Airtel Malawi PLC and Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM), Malawi (2024)
https://doi.org/10.26634/jwcn.12.2.20602
- Journal Article
Challenges and opportunities: The impact of the second screening on television viewing in Blantyre, Malawi (2024)
https://doi.org/10.26634/jhss.4.1.20612
- Journal Article
Impact of Key Performance Indicators on Radio Availability in TNM's Mobile Network Across Malawi: a Regional Analysis (2024)
https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4013112/v1
- Journal Article
Exploring the distribution of mobile data packages among university students - a comparative analysis of gender variances (2023)
https://doi.org/10.26634/jmt.10.1.20059