A major milestone for Zimbabwe cinema continues to make waves: the short film Rise — written and directed by Jessica J. Rowlands and starring Tongayi Chirisa — has qualified for Oscar 2026 consideration, marking one of the country’s strongest forays into global film awards this year.
The narrative, which centers on resilience and hope in challenging circumstances, also gained attention after an endorsement from Hollywood star, Viola Davis, amplifying its profile internationally.
Rowlands and producer Joe Njagu have said the film’s journey from local production to awards contention is a testament to Zimbabwe’s creative potential, with supporters hopeful this will encourage greater international interest in homegrown stories.
