Mbulelo Mpofu [email protected]
ZIMBABWEAN filmmakers at home and in the diaspora have until 11.59pm today (Monday, 19 October) to submit entries for the seventh edition of the BIOSKOP! Zimbabwe Short Film Competition, held under the European Film Festival Zimbabwe 2026.
The competition celebrates the creativity and technical excellence of Zimbabwean short films, providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and gain recognition for their storytelling skills.
It is open to filmmakers living, working or based in Zimbabwe, as well as those of Zimbabwean heritage residing in Europe and Africa.
Entries are invited in three categories: animation, documentary and live action. The competition also recognises key filmmaking disciplines, including cinematography, sound editing and acting.
Eligible films must have been produced from May 2025 and run for between two and 25 minutes. Submissions must be made digitally in MP4 or MOV format, with English subtitles required for films produced in other languages.
There is no entry fee, making the competition accessible to filmmakers working with different levels of resources.
Six awards are up for grabs: Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Sound Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Diaspora Film and Best Actor/Actress. Winners will receive trophies and cash prizes.
An independent jury comprising industry professionals, academics, community leaders and business leaders will adjudicate the entries.
Selected films may be screened several times during the festival, while winning productions will be screened in Harare and may also feature in post-festival best-of programmes.
Filmmakers are required to submit their films alongside a director’s biography and photograph, three film stills, a trailer, synopsis and poster.
Entries can be submitted through FilmFreeway at https://filmfreeway.com/TheEuropeanFilmFestivalZimbabwe.
Now in its seventh year, BIOSKOP! continues to provide a platform for Zimbabwean filmmakers to showcase local stories and gain recognition for their creative and technical achievements.
Filmmakers are encouraged to submit their entries before the 11.59pm Central Africa Time deadline tonight.
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