Chronicle Editor
Simba Jemwa, Showbiz Reporter
THE 22nd Zimbabwe International Film Festival (Ziff) opens tomorrow in Harare, ushering in what is touted to be a mandate-free, mask-optional celebration of cinema through to Saturday, harking back to the carefree good old pre-Covid days (well, sort of).
The much acclaimed Ziff is a product of the Zimbabwe International Film and Festival Trust (ZIFFT) whose mission is to discover and develop local filmmakers, artistes, and audiences.
This year’s Ziff is back in full force with an impressive slate of movies, in-person crowds, and distributors eager to fill up their pandemic-depleted slates. But the acquisition titles on display this year may not be the splashy, commercial, gala movies that once made Toronto unique on the fall festival circuit.
As part of the festival activities, the first day will be trade day, while the second day has been set as a career day. The third day is industry development (film forum) day, while the closing day has been dubbed fun day/reel kidz fiesta.
The festival that made a return last year after a two-year hiatus due to funding constraints and the Covid-19 restrictions also seeks to contribute to vibrant, socially and politically relevant African story-telling through film.
In its 22nd edition, the four-day film fiesta will this year be held under the theme “Reconnecting”.
“This year’s festival is our effort to reconnect with our partners and our audiences and help them reconnect with each other as we emerge from the challenges of the past two years as a result of the global health crisis,” said the organisers.
They said this year’s programme is expected to be a showcase of quality films from local, regional, and international filmmakers and production houses, against the backdrop of workshops.
“The main festival’s activities will be at the ZIFFT Hub (located at 2 Canterbury Road, Kensington, Harare). We’re also taking the festival to several other venues around the country, as well as to the global audience,” they said.
“We will be reconnecting with as many of the audiences and communities that have been part of Ziff in the past while engaging with new audiences and talent.” – @RealSimbaJemwa
Online Reporter