In 2016, the European Union launched the European Film Festival Zimbabwe. Initially only showcasing European films, the years saw the festival grow into a platform for diverse storytelling, celebrating both European and African cinema.
From just showcasing films, the festival now plays a contributing role in nurturing the development of the local film industry, offering valuable opportunities for Zimbabwean filmmakers on both national and international scales.
A decade of cinema and cultural exchange later, the festival finds itself at the forefront of breaking barriers and driving film discourse in Zimbabwe. This is captured in the theme of their 2025 edition: "She Means Business." An honouring of the creativity, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of women, that was truly embraced in the film showcased and the women who led the festival's various activities.
"Marking ten years of the European Film Festival in Zimbabwe is more than a celebration of cinema — it’s a celebration of connection, creativity, and partnership. Over the past decade, this festival has grown into a dynamic platform where Zimbabwean and European voices meet, learn, and inspire one another," said Jobst von Kirchmann, EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe.
"This year’s theme, She Means Business, reflects our continued commitment to supporting inclusive, sustainable cultural industries that create opportunities for all."
For it's Harare leg, the festival returned to Mbare Art Space for the third year running, with a multidisciplinary showcase that immersed itself in the community. The event ran for 3 days: Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June.
On show was a diverse programme of 28 films, including 6 European films, 12 African films, and a selection of 10 Zimbabwean short films. A first time collaboration with the Sotambe Zambian Film Festival, saw the event screening "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl," a Cannes Film Festival winner for Best Director,
Alongside the fim screenings was: the Mbare Archive - an evolving exhibition of stories curated by filmmaker Witty Nyamhunga and supported by Kuda Gwatzidzo, the Matamba Virtual Reality Experience - an immersive storytelling experience utilising virtual reality technology, and the Input Conference - a platform for film conversations with policy makers and film professionals that included Angeline Dimingo, Sibongile Mlambo, Tendaiishe Chitima, Amanda Ranganawa, and Martina Mwanza.
On Friday evening, Othnell Mangoma and Mary Anibal were at the heart of a music, theatre and dance performance that enthralled the audience, while Wowrae merged house music with percussion and the Mbare Jazz Legends serenaded the crowd during the Sunday sunset.
The Ultra Shorts competition, a story in 90 seconds, made it's debut this year under the theme "The Hustle – Through Her Eyes." The three winning films aptly captured the innovative ways Zimbabwean women pursue enocomic endeavours. Gifted & Thrifted by Aaron Dobi was second runner up, while the first runner was Takudzwa Matyatya's Shingai, and the big winner was Hustling Queens of Harare by Shumirai Rwazemba.
The 6th edition of the Bioskop Short Film had a cast of brilliantly crafted and diverse stories. Coach Mercy, an inspiring story of the transformative power of sport in the community by Tenford Chitanana won Best Documentary, Best Cinematography went to Derrick Manieca's Good Days, while Underrated Strokes by Ndabezinhle Khoza received the Best Sound Editing gong, and Jonathan Samukange's Peggy took home Best Narrative, with Albert Chigiya walking away with Best Actor for his role in the production.
After it's beginning in Harare 10 years ago, the European Film Festival Zimbabwe has had a mission to engage new audiences across the country. This year, in collaboration with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, the festival hosted its first Rural Bioskop showcase in Chiredzi during Culture Month. This follows it's stops in Kadoma and Gweru last year.
The festival kicks off it's Bulawayo leg on Friday 6 June.
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