Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THIS year’s Bokola Film Festival edition will bring together filmmakers, artists and audiences for a cultural exchange of cinema, music and creatives at Studio Moto.
Running under the theme “Hold The Line: Between Collapse and Becoming,” this year’s festival aims to explore the realities of living through uncertainty, economic pressure and social change while celebrating creativity in African storytelling.
Festival organisers said Bokola has grown beyond a traditional film showcase to become a platform for cultural dialogue, youth expression and community engagement.
The one-day festival, which is scheduled for May 30, is expected to bring together filmmakers, artists, musicians and audiences from across Zimbabwe’s creative sector.
Festival director Ska Sebata said it was a space for reflection rather than certainty.
“This year’s theme speaks to endurance without romanticising struggle. It reflects the quiet, everyday decision to keep going when systems, economies, and environments are constantly shifting.
“The festival is not positioned as an answer but as a space to sit with questions.What does it mean to hold on when things are breaking? What does it mean to create when the future feels unstable? And what kinds of stories are needed to carry us through this moment?
“Audiences can expect a diverse programme featuring independent film screenings, music videos, exhibitions, live DJ performances and an after-party dubbed ‘Bokola On Fire,’ hosted by Events On Fire.
“A children’s zone will also be available, making the event accessible to families and audiences of all ages.”
The festival also continues its focus on nurturing emerging voices in African cinema.
Through the Bokola Future of Film Award, supported by Accountability Lab Zimbabwe, young filmmakers working outside mainstream industry structures, will have an opportunity to gain recognition and financial support for their work.
Organisers said the award is intended to encourage bold storytelling and help young creatives take the next step in their filmmaking journeys.
They also create spaces for dialogue, preserve collective memory and provide emerging creatives with opportunities for visibility, mentorship and collaboration.
Bokola Film Festival is presented by Magamba Network, a leading African creative and digital media organisation known for supporting youth culture, storytelling and social change initiatives across the continent.
