The European Film Festival Zimbabwe returns to Harare from 28 to 30 October, bringing together European and Zimbabwean filmmakers, for screenings, workshops and industry discussions aimed at strengthening local filmmaking and fostering international creative partnerships
Running under the theme The Next Frame, the festival will showcase films from Romania, Ireland, Spain, Madagascar and Belgium, alongside a selection of Zimbabwean short films.
In a statement, the European Union said the festival would promote cultural exchange.
“The festival seeks to promote cultural exchange, foster creative partnerships and provide opportunities for local filmmakers to develop their skills and showcase their work to wider audiences,” it read.
European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe, Chargée d’Affaires a.i. Francesca Fabbri, said this year’s edition would give Zimbabwean filmmakers greater visibility alongside their international counterparts.
“What excites me most about this edition is not just the films we are bringing from Europe, but the talent we are putting on that same stage from Zimbabwe.
“This is a festival that says to every young filmmaker in this country: your story matters, your voice belongs in this conversation, and your audience is waiting,” she said.
Festival director, Rumbi Katedza, said the event would create opportunities for emerging filmmakers to exchange ideas with international creatives through screenings, workshops and industry discussions.
“This year’s theme invites us to imagine the future of film in Zimbabwe. I am honoured to lead the festival and build new relationships through film, including stronger creative connections with the European Union,” she said.
The programme will feature panel discussions and workshops exploring film financing, sustainability in the film industry and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on African cinema.
Katedza said the festival sought to establish partnerships that would extend beyond the three-day event and create lasting opportunities for emerging filmmakers.
“There is so much we can learn from one another, and I hope the encounters we create here will open doors for the next generation of filmmakers to tell stories on their own terms and lay the foundations for lasting collaborations,” she said.
Zimbabwean filmmakers will also have an opportunity to showcase their work through the BIOSKOP! Short Film Competition, which runs under the theme The Best of Zimbabwean Short Film.
The competition attracted 80 entries across different genres and filmmaking styles, with finalists shortlisted in six award categories, including narrative filmmaking, documentary, cinematography, sound and performance.
The winning films will be screened and the awards presented on Friday, October 30, at Alliance Française Harare.
Festival activities will take place at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, ZIFTESSA, Zimbabwe German Society and Alliance Française Harare.
