Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
ZIMBABWEAN films took centre stage at the 11th European Film Festival Zimbabwe (EuroFilmFestZW), with Leo Ericks Jakata’s Moza and Nicole Panashe’s Bold emerging among the biggest winners at the festival’s return.
Moza scooped the Best Narrative Film award, while Bold won Best Documentary at the three-day festival, which ran from October 28 to 30, celebrating local filmmaking talent and creating opportunities for engagement with international cinema.
Hosted by the European union in partnership with EU Member States, the festival was held under the theme, “The Next Frame”, bringing together filmmakers, industry practitioners and audiences for screenings, workshops and discussions on the future of cinema.
Jakata’s Moza emerged tops in the Best Narrative Film category, beating Naishe Nyamubaya’s God Sleeps on Sundays and Jonathan Samukange’s Chimu naRanga.
Reacting to the win, Jakata described the recognition as an encouragement to continue pursuing his craft.
“I feel honoured and it proves hard work has results always and it keeps all of us moving. It motivates everyone,” he said.
In the Best Documentary category, Panashe’s Bold beat Thembani Melusi Phakathi’s Zimbabwe on a Dish, Clivet Chinake’s The Houses She Has Built, lt and Vincent Takudzwa Dzivarinyenga’s
The Waste Carpenter.
Nyamubaya’s God Sleeps on Sundays also earned recognition, winning Best Cinematography, while Gamuchirayi Mukwakwamu took home the Best Actor/Actress award for her portrayal of Shamiso in Moza.
She was nominated alongside Alex Muziyani, who played Tony in the same production, and Leroy Siyafa, who portrayed James in God Sleeps on Sundays.
Tinashe Dorobeni’s RoundAbout won Best Sound Editing, beating The Last Passenger, directed by Imaniii None, and God Sleeps on Sundays.
Chinake’s The Houses She Has Built received the Most Promising Filmmaker Award, sponsored by Monzyice Creations, with Dzivarinyenga’s The Waste Carpenter also in contention.
Beyond the awards, EuroFilmFestZW used its return to create opportunities for professional development and industry dialogue, particularly around the challenges and prospects facing Zimbabwean filmmakers.
The programme featured an opening-night conversation with Zimbabwean-British actress Chipo Chung, while aspiring filmmakers and performers benefited from a screen acting and directing masterclass conducted by Leroy Gopal.
Workshops and panel discussions tackled pressing industry concerns, including film financing, sustainability,y and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in African cinema.
A finance workshop, held in collaboration with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, explored funding opportunities, while another discussion examined how filmmakers can build sustainable careers and businesses in the sector.
Screenings were hosted at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, ZIFTESSA, the Zimbabwe German Society and Alliance Française Harare, with the programme featuring films from Romania,
Ireland, Spain, Madagascar and Belgium, alongside Zimbabwean productions.
The festival’s return provided a platform for local filmmakers to showcase their work, engage with international cinema and explore collaborations that could strengthen the country’s film industry.
With Moza and Bold leading the awards, the 11th edition also placed a spotlight on the range of stories being told by Zimbabwean filmmakers and the creative talent shaping the country’s evolving film landscape.
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