Obey Musiwa
Herald Reporter
The producers of the six-part television drama Raising of a Giant plan to promote the series in South Africa, Spain and Malta this month and next as they seek to take the Zimbabwean production to international audiences.
The drama is a partnership between Black Lips Film Production and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), highlighting its endorsement and authorisation from President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Prevail International Group of Companies, founded by Special Presidential Investment Advisor Dr Paul Tungwarara, is supporting the production.
The company’s backing is helping the project move from script development towards international markets. Black Lips Film Production, a Zimbabwean-registered company behind the series, will begin its international promotional drive at the Marché International des Programmes (MIP) Africa 2026 in Cape Town at the end of October.
The studio, led by Ms Sibusisiwe Busie Mzinja, said the drama seeks to show how a nation recovering from economic challenges can shape its future. Ms Mzinja said the company would use the marketplace to promote the series to international audiences.
“The annual content marketplace brings together producers, broadcasters, content buyers and financiers,” she said.
“The producers plan to use it to introduce the production to international markets.”
Ms Mzinja said the delegation will then travel to Spain and Malta from November 1 to 6 at the invitation of Known Associates Spain, which has partnered with Black Lips on production services.
“The visit will include tours of production and post-production facilities and meetings with creative and financial stakeholders,” she said.
Known Associates Group provides production services to foreign companies filming in South Africa, Spain and Malta, including professional crews and high-end studio and post-production facilities.
Its past projects include Mission Impossible 7, The Woman King and Beast, as well as the upcoming Sony Pictures film Children of Blood and Bone.
Ms Mzinja said a central part of the plan is financial, with the series set to benefit from cash rebates to reduce costs.
“The series could qualify for cash rebates on qualifying production spending in both countries, with Spain offering about 30 percent and Malta between 30 and 40 percent,” she said.
To take advantage of this, Black Lips intends to shoot most of the interior scenes in Spain and Malta. Ms Mzinja said the partnership will reduce costs and give the production access to world-class studios and post-production facilities.
“We also expect it to give Zimbabwean filmmakers and ZBC staff international mentorship and skills transfer, and to open doors to global distribution, streaming platforms and film festivals.”
She also framed the tour as a national promotion exercise.
“The series will showcase Zimbabwe’s cultures, tribes, peace, land and heritage, and that the cooperation with Spain and Malta will build diplomatic and cultural ties,” she said.
“We expect the project to create jobs in production, hospitality and transport, and to help develop the local film industry.”
