Online Reporter
Ronald Takudzwa Sambona-Youth Interactive Correspondent
JUST as writing isn’t about rewiring words, but rewiring synapses, the same can be inferred for filmmaking.
Young producer, Blessing Ncozana, believes filmmaking isn’t just moving pictures, but it’s about moving ideas on the screen, thus changing lives.
Her new movie “Trapped” seeks to challenge the conflicting ideas of child marriage, girls’ education, and religion by taking them to the screen.
As a former Junior Councillor, she believes girls’ empowerment goes beyond education.
The arts sector must play its role in shifting mindsets around girls’ education.
“Trapped is a story about the struggles of a girl who is married at a young age because of belief and faith,” she said.
Ncozana’s passion for storytelling blossomed in high school. For this, she credits award-winning producer Stan Joni.
“He’s a source of inspiration, mentor and collaborator who has made all my film projects a success,” stated Ncozana.
Together, they’ve worked on a couple of internationally renowned films, which have received recognition at international film festivals.
Their recent production “Trapped” is a nominee at the Bokola Film Festival. Their 2025 production, “They Think I Am A Man”, was nominated in the “Tahriff”, “Heron Bay”, “Kobani”, “Bijou”, and NanoCon (NIFF) Film Festivals.
This production also scooped a nomination at the 2025 Yora International Film Awards.
Ncozana’s story is proof that women are both leading and shaping their narrative in the Arts industry and in life. As a producer, she’s not only entertaining but also in control and paving the way for many aspiring female producers.
By telling her stories, she is empowering girls to do the same.
“We’re planning on having the ‘Trapped’ film screening in schools as well as panel discussions with the girls, and teaching them about the already existing reporting channels,” she highlighted.
“It’s not only religion, but young girls are being forced into child marriages because of poverty.”
Her approach to protecting girls’ access to education is to hold more education and awareness sessions in schools, with support from the Ministry of Education, NGOs, and child rights advocates.
“We must introduce sessions for the girl child in schools where we teach them on the right reporting channels and where to flee when they are at risk. We must also teach peers to report if they suspect a girl in their community is being abused and cannot speak up,” she urges us.
Filmmaking isn’t without its challenges, but luckily for Ncozana, she has a supportive team to assist with production. She states that producing isn’t just about telling people what to do, but great producers understand the importance of knowing what their talent and crew want before bossing them around.
“Great customer service and liaising with people, so that you can come together and make one thing, your relationships with people, and the signature that you leave are what matter.”
These aspects make a great producer, she says, and she has learned all this from working with Stan Joni, her mentor.
Looking into the future, Ncozana envisions her movies playing on Netflix and other popular streaming platforms, but a shortage of financial resources is threatening this vision.
She thanks their Executive Producer, Paradzai Makosa, for helping financially.
“We really need financial support, and our government should support us without hesitation and trust us with the projects that we want to do,” she mentions.
She believes film workshops, where established international filmmakers teach Zimbabwean filmmakers how to pitch their films to Netflix, are crucial, and the government should arrange these events.
“With this support, we have the zeal and push to keep working and producing more films.”
