It felt like being surrounded by passionate, dedicated individuals, an event that was immersive and exhilarating. We attended the Infinite Light pop-up studio in Lusaka. It was intimate, personal, and authentic. As diverse acts were showcased, we reveled in the spirit of collective interpretation and analysis. On April 11, 2026, the opening night featured a select audience experiencing the arts through the Infinite Light Agency, an agency committed to nurturing creators across various artistic disciplines. We began with an introduction to the event, its visionary organizers, and the artists celebrated that evening.
The evening began with a representative of the Infinite Light Agency, introducing the organization and sharing insights into its mission, current partnerships, and future collaborations. After the introduction, attendees were invited to explore the photo exhibition Ndine Mulendo by The African Gypsy. The exhibition featured a series of photographs chronicling the photographer’s journey throughout the country, depicting everyday Zambian life and illustrating how women, children, community, and ‘bicycles’ are integral to the region’s daily experiences.
Next, we attended a film screening featuring three captivating films. The first, How Do I Look by Tara Olayeye, a Nigerian American filmmaker, who draws from her lived experience as a Black woman in America. This evocative film invited viewers into the perspective of a Black girl grappling with beauty standards, self image, and identity, with vivid colors illuminating her emotional landscape. It was a visually striking experience.
Mwambo Wasu Vs Mwambo Wanu by Chembo Liandisha explored Western organized religion vs. African traditional religion through a performance film. The visuals starkly contrasted the two traditions, portraying Western worship as uniform, regulated, and restrained, while African traditional worship appeared dynamic, welcoming, and rooted in nature. There was a sense of comfort with the traditional practices, as if they were second nature. It felt personal, innate, and intrinsic to us. Nothing felt unfamiliar or perplexing; it just felt natural. Even when some aspects weren’t understood, participation still felt instinctive. Excellent.
The Last Call by Nancy Handabile, an award-winning artist and storyteller, follows the immediate aftermath of a sudden loss. The film explores grief, the lingering memory of a loved one lost too soon, and the unfinished business of love left behind. After this sudden event, the living partner faces instability and must find a way forward, raising questions worth discussing. To top it all off, we concluded the event with a music listening session. The session began with the main act, Space Program Zm, an upcoming multidisciplinary creative working in music, animation, and fashion. He shared his new singles, Tulukusha and Swag Kubwa, which explored growing pains and striving for a good life, reflecting the drive young people have to make it in life and make a name for themselves.
Next, we listened to select exclusive music by Italo Morelli, a rapper, poet, and lawyer, from his projects ‘Scarcity Nawai2weaking’ and ‘Nawai3king.’ These tracks addressed themes of life, and misinformation, tackling issues of cultural erasure and inequality relevant to today. The music encouraged acknowledgment of our shortcomings as a society and speaking out against injustices.
And finally, CHEMBOMUSIC who performed pieces from project Fr33, which centered on themes of love and freedom. Of particular interest was a selection exploring self love, it was compelling and honest. Expressing this constant tension between how one sees themselves and how one thinks they’re supposed to be. How we question our body, our success, our worth, and why we haven’t “arrived” yet. It was about confronting self doubt, realizing how harshly we judge ourselves, and starting to understand that real change comes from within, even if that realization is messy and incomplete.
As the evening unfolded, we grew more inspired and excited, witnessing a new found community thrive, and feeling aligned with the Infinite Light Gang. Throughout the event, we discovered the power of celebrating the creatives who fuel our vibrancy. This is the very philosophy of Infinite Light Agency, Look out for them, they are a force!