16th Edition of ZIFF Closes in Masvingo

‘NGOZI’ short film and Onward Chironda get Juror's special mention.

Blessing Chidzurira Performs at ZIFF Masvingo Closing Night

Masvingo, October 25, 2014: The 16th edition of the Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) closed with a bang at the specially-constructed Charles Austin Theatre with workshops on film marketing, cinematography and directing. There was a tripple screening in the evening which was followed by a jurors' special mention on short films that were submitted for competition. The jury was led by Ms Porcia Mudavanhu, the ZIFF festival administrator.

The festival’s Best Short Film and Best Direction were bestowed on Masvingo filmmaker Onward Chironda’s 'NGOZI'. A short film on gender based violence.

A host of luminaries and filmmakers were in attendance, including MAFIA director Donovan Takaendesa, Masvingo Drama Circle Artistic director Khetani Michael Banda, screenwriters and jury members Peter Marimi and Charles Munganasa, revered actor Tinashe Nhukarume.

Others who received special mention on Closing Night included Through The Night director Sydney Taivavashe (best cinematographer),  Ngozi star Ngoni Chinovava (best actor) and Moreblessing Kavhika (best actress), Ngozi and Mafia actor Proud Sigauke (best supporting actor). The People's achievement special mention were dedicated to Ms Porcia Mudavanhu and Edward Chombe for their efforts in making the film festival a reality in Masvingo.

The 16th ZIFF (Masvingo) was held October 23-25, in collaboration with WezhiraTV, Masvingo Drama Circle and Nelned Pictures, and featured a diverse selection of films from Zimbabwe and countries around the world.

Filmmakers in a Film Marketing Workshop

Sydney Taivavashe presenting a workshop on Cinematography

About ZIFF:

Established in 1997, the Zimbabwe International Film Festival Trust, ZIFFT has distinguished itself as a significant player in the Zimbabwean and regional film industries. In its first decade of operations it had a sterling performance, annually hosting an impressive film festival that attained international acclaim as one of the continent’s most well organised creative fetes, developing talented film makers and script writers through its unique training opportunities, and contributing to the telling of vibrant, socially and politically relevant African stories through cinema.

ZIFFT appointed a new 12-member Board of Trustees, in March 2013. The new Board comprises the retained Founding Trustees; Rachel Kupara, Dan Jawitz, and Joel Phiri; filmmaker and ZIFTESSA lecturer, Nocks Chatiza; actor, filmmaker and distributor, Stephen Chigorimbo; archivist, researcher, author, producer and lecturer, Joyce Jenje-Makwenda; actor, director, producer, administrator and social justice activist, Daves Guzha; digital production and animation specialist Simbirirai Solomon Maramba; journalist, writer, and development agency executive, Isabella Matambanadzo; artist and arts administrator, Joanna Powell; and actor and development agency executive, John Stewart.

ZIFFT has embarked on a new strategic thrust to re-establish it as the ‘HUB’ of film in Zimbabwe. This will involve both programmatic innovation, and renovation/expansion of physical structures to make ZIFFT the place where Zimbabweans go to find inspiration and entertainment in film. The success of this vision undoubtedly relies on a sound financial base, and so ZIFFT is looking for willing partners to provide this support.

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Introduction To Screenwriting workshop at the Film Festival in Masvingo

Friday 24 October marked the second day of Masvingo's first Film Festival. The day kicked off with a powerful information-packed workshop facilitated by Charles Munganasa who gave the attending filmmakers the basic tools and information needed to establish themselves as screenwriters. The workshop was a part exercise and part lecture, culminating in a live story pitching session. Mr Munganasa, a graduate in the theatrical arts, covered Writing the Screenplay, talked about characters, story structure and planning, followed by Writing a Well Structured Script, a detailed examination of how to write for that first film and how to play with genre.

Just before Lunch, he went on to talk more about Story Structure and Shaping Dialogue – including timelines and plot vs concept driven films.

The course was for writers of all levels and abilities, from seasoned professionals to aspiring amateurs. It covered both basic rules, such as screenplay formatting, as well as more advanced writing techniques.

'Introduction to Screenwriting is not just for screenwriters, however. If you have an interest in storytelling or characters, or how screenplays are read and interpreted, bought and sold, then screenwriting is for you', said Munganasa commenting on the workshop.

'Have you ever had an idea for a movie? Learn the basic principles of writing screenplays and demonstrate the powerful storytelling tools used by the professionals to come up with a blockbuster'

After Lunch, three local short films were screened for competition. Two schools graced the afternoon screenings. The movie 'Pied Piper' from India capped the evening as the closing film for the day. 

The film festival resumes Saturday 25 October 2014 at The Charles Austin Theatre at 10am.

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Opening Night a Success for the Film Festival in Masvingo

About 160 people turned out for the opening night of the 16th annual Zimbabwe International Film Festival, which screens films from Zimbabwe and around the world. The festival continues through Saturday with the same theme - 'The Universal African'.

“It’s a great way to reach out to a broader community and bring visibility to the filmmaking community here,” said Edward Chombe, co-ordinator of the Masvingo version of the film festival. “It’s a very positive, family-friendly event, and I think that’s important.”

The opening film was “Dust and fortunes,” which was received with a standing ovation by the crowd in attendance.

"This is the first ever film festival to be held in Masvingo in partnership with ZIFFT".

The Charles Austin Theatre served as opening night’s venue, and the ambiance was bolstered by the servings of cocktails in their Stage-Coach bar.

Friday’s event will be at the same venue with the same theme. Seven short films will be screened for competition: “Ngozi”, "Not yet titld" "Street Syndicate", "Mafia", "The Second sex", "The Salon" and “Hwindi,” the latter is a comedy loosely based on the life and times of a combi conductor.

“I’m really excited about this festival,” said Mike Banda, artistic director of Masvingo Drama Circle which runs the Charles Austin Theatre. “It’s a really important event that reflects activity in Masvingo.”

“However, our local filmmakers come out and fight the good fight for a better film environment in Zimbabwe and when they’re tired they end up having to go back to the drawing board and quietly resume other jobs,” he said. “That’s something we need to look at locally and on a broader level.”

Keeping with the theme, there will also be a Q&A session with award nominated director, Sydney Taivavashe.

“It’s just an awesome film festival lineup, not to be missed,” said Chombe.

The festival will conclude on Saturday 25 October 2014. Local and international films will be screened (“Sour Milk,” “Kaun Kitney”, “Ningen” among others) followed by the closing night film, “Nairobi half life,” about a young, aspiring actor from upcountry Kenya who dreams of becoming a success in the big city. In pursuit of this and to the chagrin of his brother and parents, he makes his way to Nairobi: the city of opportunity.

“I’m glad that we can bring these films,” said Chombe. “If it weren’t for this festival, these films would not be seen in Masvingo.”

He noted that the large turnout was a good sign that the film festival will continue to grow and gain support, and he hopes that next year they’ll be able to add more events or even bring directors to Masvingo to speak about their films.

“We’ll see how it goes,” he said.

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Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) Comes to Masvingo

 Those mourning the end of the Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) in Harare take heart in the news that the festival continues in Masvingo this week.

Kicking off on Thursday 23 October, it runs until Saturday 25 October with over 20 films showcasing the best in Zimbabwe and  international cinema past and present.

Over the past years the ZIFF has established itself as a must-see event not just for fans of world cinema but for movie lovers in general, with a host of talent on hand to discuss the importance of the country’s cinema.

Excitingly diverse, the range can be seen in the opening and closing gala movies. Opening the festival is the Masvingo premiere of Mosco Kamwendo’s documentary masterpiece, 'Camarada Presidente'. It is about the controversial life and death of Samora Moises Machel – a village boy who rises to become a daring guerrilla strategist and liberator. The film has won several international awards, fans of smart well-cut documentaries will be in their element over 89 nerve-shredding minutes.

Closing the festival is Masvingo premiere of the delightful, award winning Zimbabwe film 'Dust and Fortunes'. An ambitious young disabled man is set to become a successful manager of a football team, the movie demonstrates the versatility of Zimbabwean cinema, flitting between genres and shifting gears in surprising and hilarious ways.

Here is a sneak peak on ZIFF Masvingo : Chrissy (Barbados), Camarada Presidente (UK/Zim), Pied Piper (India), Ningen (Japan), Kaun Kitney (India), Nairobi half life (Kenya), Dust and Fortunes(Zim), Sour Milk (Zim), Masanga Bodo (Zim), My dream(Zim), Nhamo (Zim), Flora and Dambudzo (UK/Zim), Zambezia (SA), Genesis Elements (Zim), Keys-Money(SA).Riveting Kenyan drama Nairobi Half Life, which also picked up several awards, is a gem waiting to be discovered, and recent Flora and Dambudzo is a must for fans of Dambudzo Marechera or classic love stories.

Nigel Munyati, executive director of ZIFF, will be in town to present three awards for best short film, best actor, best actress and best director in the competition category of ZIFF Masvingo. The winners will also be holding a Q&A to discuss their fascinating careers.

The Zimbabwe International Film Festival Masvingo edition will also be hosting documentaries, rare classics from around the world and much more. The main venue for opening and closing films will the The Charles Austin Theatre. Thursday 23 October screening of Camarada Presidente will commence at 1800hrs.

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