*Pic insert from Left:
NACZ Director Mr Napoleon Nyanhi, NACZ Assistant Director Arts Promotion and Development Mrs Barbara Gotore, Deputy Minister MoSRAC, Hnr Emily Jesaya, NACZ Board Chairperson, Dr Nosipho Maraire and The European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Jobst Von Kirchmann
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe has declared 2024 as the year of Film. The theme has been followed by commendable efforts and commitment to the transformation through the drafting of a National Film Strategy document which will be unveiled before the end of the year. This year, the organization has collaborated with European Film Festival for the 2nd time.
A round table discussion forum was done on Friday 11 October, and this was an igniting set off for the fun packed film festival. The Panel was rich with seasoned film practitioners that had a lot to share with fellow colleagues and film enthusiasts such that the 2 hours went by, and the discussion was still interesting and too hot to drop. The Moderator, Munyaradzi “Munya” Chidzonga is a Zimbabwean actor who rose to prominence in 2008, with his appearance on the reality TV show Big Brother Africa representing Zimbabwe in its third season, in which he achieved third place. He is also known for his starring role in productions like, The Gentleman (2011), Tete B (2018) and Lobola (2010). Other panelists were Nocks Chatiza, Josephine M Zvikaramba, Charlene Furusa, Leonard Chibamu, Nakai Matema, Collin Nyamuyaruka, James Mukwindidza , Walter Chari, Marian Kunonga and Antony Mutambira.
Saturday 12 October Marked the Official Launch of the European Film Festival 2024. The Guest of Honour, who is the Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Sport Recreation, Arts and Culture, Honorable Emily Jesaya commended the European Union for empowering the Zimbabwean Film sector. She elaborated that the commitment is in line with the government’s vision to transform film into a more sustainable industry along with other economic disciplines.
Local films who participated in the BIOSKOP film competition 2024 received their awards on the night. The winners for this year’s competition were:
• Best Narrative – My Husband Joe , by Derby Bheta
• Best Documentary – Chasing Levels, by Dumie Manyathela
• Best Cinematography- Fat Bastard, by Jonathan Samukange.
• Best Sound – My Brother’s Keeper, by Tinashe Dorobeni
• Best Diaspora Narrative- Therapist, by Admire Zimbeva
• Best Actor/Actress- Chiedza Rwodzi, In Anne
To hand over the Prestigious awards was the Deputy Minister, Hnr Jesaya, The European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Jobst von Kirchmann and The National Arts Council Board Chairperson Dr Nosipho Maraire. Film practitioners also commended the festival for considering other cities around Zimbabwe. The events were free and open to the public. On 15 October Kadoma Hosted the Festival at Campbell Theatre, on 16 October Gweru Hosted at Gweru Memorial Library and from 18 to 20 October, Bulawayo Film lovers got a treat at Ster kinekor.