adminJonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
The Zimbabwe International Film Festival officially opens today in Harare starting at 6pm with the screening of “Lumumba” at the festival’s hub in Kensington. This year’s festival runs under the theme “A Retrospective Looking Back Thru Independent Eyes”. Like all the grand openings, there is going to be a special performance by The Real Sounds of Africa, one of the top local rhumba groups in Zimbabwe, and Oliver Mtukudzi before the screening of “Neria” on December 14, the last day of the festival.
However, early highlights will include the screening of INPUT television session where film lovers will be treated to “Mercy Mercy”,
“Looking for Mr Right”, “Life’s A Stage” and “Design Ah!”. The INPUT programme sponsored by Goethe Institute/Zimbabwe Germany Society is aimed at exposing local talent on local television and these are the films that were made for local television. Tomorrow, a documentary on filmmaking and a workshop on short films start the ZIFF programme at 9am to midday at the Main Theatre.
The workshop to be attended by film students is sponsored by Goethe Institute/Zimbabwe Germany Society.
A must-see feature at the festival tomorrow is the “Screening of Freshly Zim Shorts” for the films such as “Freestate” featuring Steve Chigorimbo, “Makomborero”, “Meso Meso” and “Mpiyabo”.
The screenings start at midday to 1.30pam at the ZIFF hub.
There is also the screening of films by women filmmakers in Zimbabwe and don’t miss out on “On The Border”, “Kare Kare Zvako”, “Nyami Nyami” and “I Want A Wedding Dress”.
The pre-main feature screening will be on “The Gentleman” starring Munya Chidzonga aka the Diamond Boy.
Musician Tariro NeGitare is expected to close the evening show with a one-hour performance starting at 10pm.
A-not-to-be-missed film forum is slated for Thursday at the ZIFF hub which will focus on the topic “How did we end up here — Zollywood?”
The forum, which starts at 10am will feature presentations by filmmakers Rumbi Katedza, Marian Kunonga and guests from the two parent ministries
— Ministry of Sport, Art and Culture and Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services.
Thereafter, there will be a question and answer segment.
In line with the theme, filmmakers and movie-goers are to select the best from an unlimited number of films that were produced in Zimbabwe either as wholly Zimbabwean productions or as co-productions with other countries.
The festival will also look back at dedicated filmmakers that have illuminated the film scene, whether deceased or living, namely Godwin Mawuru, David Gwaza, Rumbi Katedza, Ben Zulu, Simon Shumba, Tsitsi Dangarembga and Nakai Matema among others.
The Safirio Madzikatire Award for distinguished contribution to film will give the industry the opportunity to reflect on the good work being done in film, despite the challenging economic environment.
To date Madzikatire remains one of the best actors ever in the Zimbabwe film industry.
Online Reporter