Vusumuzi Dube
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE European Film Festival Zimbabwe (EuroFilmFestZW) will celebrate its decade of existence in grand style this year by doubling the prize money for its renowned Bioskop! Short Film competition and, most importantly, amplifying feminine voices in the film sector.
This year’s festival, themed “Celebrating Women,” will honour female contributions to cinema by increasing the prize pool and reinforcing the adjudication panel with two additional female judges.
A major film industry event in Zimbabwe, the festival, which promotes cultural exchange, showcases European cinema and nurtures the development of local filmmaking.
In an interview, co-curator of the festival, Alex Gwaze, confirmed the festival’s commitment to gender inclusivity.
“This year, we are excited to add two women to our core adjudication team, aligning with our theme of celebrating women. We are also thrilled to welcome back Sibongile Mlambo, Daniel Lasker and Prosper Kunyeta. Their contributions have been invaluable in maintaining the quality and credibility of the Bioskop Competition — especially Sibongile, who has served as a judge since 2021 and continues to dedicate time to us despite her commitments in the USA,” he said.
The new judges joining the panel are Hanieh Ziaei, who replaces Matthieu Eberhardt and Sue-Ellen Chitunya. Ziaei is a researcher, film critic and analyst, qualities that make her a valuable addition, according to Gwaze.
“Hanieh’s expertise focuses on women’s representation in film. Being based in Europe, the birthplace of feminism and home to many female leaders, her perspective will help us compare how women’s stories are told here versus the West,” he said.
Chitunya, on the other hand, brings a wealth of experience as an Oscar-voting member of The Academy, a Film Independent Fellow, and producer of the documentary For Tomorrow, which is available on Amazon worldwide.
Returning judge, Daniel Lasker, expressed his enthusiasm for the competition.
“It’s a joy discovering new Zimbabwean films and filmmakers. Each year, the quality of submissions improves, which is exciting and speaks to the passion and growth of Zimbabwe’s film industry.”
This year’s EuroFilmFestZW will run from May 30 to June 8, with major events taking place in Harare and Bulawayo. The full list of venues and additional details is expected to be announced in due course. Last year’s edition spanned four cities, Harare, Kadoma, Gweru and Bulawayo, introducing a travel component to the festival. The Bioskop! competition has served as a launchpad for many Zimbabwean filmmakers, giving them the opportunity to showcase their vision to a wider audience and connect with industry professionals.
The winning film will receive a cash prize and will be screened at the European Film Festival Zimbabwe. Filmmakers have until Sunday to submit their entries. The competition categories and prize amounts are as follows: Best Narrative Short (US$800), Best Documentary Short (US$800), Best Sound Editing (US$400), Best Cinematography (US$400), Best Diaspora Film (US$400) and Best Actor/Actress (US$400).
Festival organisers have strongly encouraged female filmmakers to submit films that challenge norms and inspire change, online at FilmFreeway. — @MbuleloMpofu
Online Reporter