Online Reporter
Latwell Nyangu
ZIMBABWE is set to launch its first vampire film, ‘Maneater’, a tense, single-location African thriller that twists classic vampire lore into a story of manipulation, lust and the hunger for power.
The film is expected to be released by October this year.
It was shot this year with a 2007 setting and was directed by Mitchell Jane Jeke, a dynamic Zimbabwean filmmaker, actress and content creator.
Her bold storytelling and fearless vision have quickly established her as one of the most exciting new voices in African cinema.
At 31, Jeke brings a rare talents to every project, seamlessly blending acting, writing, directing, and content creation. The film, which is 81 minutes and 41 seconds long, is a wholly Zimbabwean production.
It was shot in just five days on a US$10,000 budget and was completed on April 29. Most of the story unfolds in real time inside a single mansion.
It is a bold fusion of erotic thriller, psychological horror, and African vampire mythology, featuring a fearless lead performance by Nabeelah Jogee in her role as Amanda.
In an interview, executive producer Kudzai Sadomba said, the film is one of a kind. Sadomba has appeared in several Zimbabwean films, including Varsity, Mirror of Personality (2012), and Tsvimbo muSuitcase (2016).
Maneater marks his first major acting role as the powerful yet deeply flawed Maxwell Shumba.
“It was shot in 2026, but the setting is from 2007, and you won’t find smartphones.Mitchell led the crew and it features several Zimbabwean actors like Nabela and Emmanuel Matsinye, among others,” he said.
Sadomba said this is part of the experimental films, which are not common in Zimbabwe because locally the audience is used to drama series. “So, this introduces a different genre and the vampires are regarded not as Zimbabwean but we are bringing a new taste across the region.”
He added:“It’s not just about blood but in this film, our vampires play mind games.
“The vampire also plays victim as she gets hurt too, yet we know that vampires have superpowers.We are basically inventing our own vampires, but not too far from the European taste.
“Our focus is on the regional level.
“We have released a trailer which is on YouTube, and it has already received positive feedback.”
The film features a seductive vampire, Amanda, who offers powerful tycoon Maxwell Shumba three million dollars for his company in exchange for one night of total surrender.
As she extracts his darkest secrets through blood and desire, the hunter becomes the hunted.
Director Jeke, who has a formal certification in TV & Film Production, has honed her craft across skits, short films, and feature work, earning recognition for her sharp eye and emotionally charged narratives.
Her previous credits include notable appearances in Dust and The Last ECODISH, where she showcased her versatility both in front of and behind the camera. With Maneater, Jeke delivers a tense, seductive, and psychologically intense African thriller that explores power, desire, and control within a single location.
Her distinctive style fuses raw intimacy with gothic atmosphere, creating stories that linger long after the credits roll.
