EU film fest pushes the boundaries

EVERY year, the European Film Festival in Zimbabwe introduces fresh, innovative ideas to enhance its programming, and this year is no exception.

Themed Beyond Boundaries: Empowering Women Through Film and Staying Connected, the 2024 edition aims to push the festival beyond its traditional boundaries.

For the first time, the festival added a travel component, starting at the Campbell Theatre in Kadoma a fortnight ago on Tuesday and continuing to Gweru, where it was hosted at the Gweru Memorial Library on the Wednesday.

From October 10 to 13, the vibrant Mbare Art Space in Harare hosted the festival’s Harare chapter for the second consecutive year.

The festival, which is free to attend, featured a variety of activities, including a National Film Policy Roundtable that tackled crucial topics such as representation in film, censorship, production ethics, the impact of technology, and funding challenges.

The public also had the opportunity to enjoy documentary screenings, masterclasses, live music performances, and immersive virtual reality experiences through the Matamba Virtual Reality 360 Experience.

In an interview with Heart & Soul Broadcasting Services (H&Stv), Roberta Wagner, the festival’s curator, said the festival has expanded its rreach.

She said the theme represented “the idea of not being limited in one’s thinking and personal space”.

“For years, we have been limiting the festival to Harare and Bulawayo and now we thought about the rest of the country. Obviously, we cannot go to every city at once, but our idea is to extend the film festival scope to other cities,” Wagner said.

Mbare Art Space, the brainchild of internationally acclaimed visual artist Moffat Takadiwa in collaboration with Geri Kam and Nora Muller, hosted a multicultural audience for the festival’s official opening.

The event featured a networking mixer, film screenings, and live performances by Sofar Sounds Harare alumni Mary Anibal and Tendex. Six winners of the BIOSKOP short film competition were announced and honoured, with Derby Bheta’s My Husband Joe, starring comedian Doc Vikela, winning Best Narrative.

Other notable winners included Dumie Manyathela’s Chasing Levels (Best Documentary), Jonathan Samukange’s Fat Bastard (Best Cinematography), Tinashe Dorobeni’s My Brother’s Keeper (Best Sound) and Admire Zimbeva’s Therapist (Best Diaspora Narrative).

Chiedza Rwodzi won the Best Actor/Actress category for her role in Ann, a film that blends humour and drama while exploring anxiety’s dual nature, from motivation to despair.

Earlier this year, the festival called for submissions for the fifth edition of the BIOSKOP short film competition, which aims to celebrate Zimbabwean filmmakers by showcasing their unique perspectives and creativity.

Speaking at the festival’s opening, Kirchman said the event’s focus was on women’s empowerment.

“From a festival coordination and curation team led by women to telling the stories of women and their lived realities through film we are showing that empowering women in film is a continuous journey, not a onetime gesture,” he said.

“For the European Union and the European Union Member States, gender equality and women’s empowerment is a key focus of our partnership with Zimbabwe and we are proud to extend that commitment to the arts through this festival.”

The festival concludes this weekend in Bulawayo at Ster Kinekor, with a vibrant line-up of activities.

Highlights include screenings of African short films and documentaries, a live performance by rapper Noluntu J, and the announcement of the BIOSKOP Zimbabwe Short Film Winners 2024, followed by a screening of the winning films.

Italy’s comedy-drama There’s Still Tomorrow will close the event on Friday. Saturday will feature Spain’s documentary La Singla, an input conference with award-winning filmmakers, and a performance by Sofar Sounds Harare alumni Asaph Africa.

On Sunday, the Family Fun Day includes a virtual masterclass with South African producer and writer Sean Drummond, along with screenings of France’s Bad Wedding III and South Africa’s Five Fingers for Marseilles.

Now in its ninth edition, the European Film Festival Zimbabwe — established by the EU delegation to Zimbabwe in 2016 — has become one of the country’s premier film industry events.

Offering a diverse programme of 27 films, including six European films, 11 African films and 10 Zimbabwean short films, the festival has grown into a vibrant platform celebrating unique cinematic voices from both Europe and Africa.