CHIKWAMA, a Zimbabwean short film written and co produced by the award winning poet and storyteller Kuda Rice, has earned a prestigious spot on the final shortlist for the 2025 CANEX Shorts Competition. This marks the first time a Zimbabwean film has been selected for the acclaimed pan African showcase, a milestone moment for the country’s growing film industry.
The film will premiere at the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme during the Intra African Trade Fair (IATF) Summit, which will be held in Algiers, Algeria, from 4 to 10 September 2025.
Directed by Zimbabwean filmmaker Takudzwa Ishmael Mboma, CHIKWAMA is a powerful two minute visual piece that blends speculative storytelling with poetic rhythm and human warmth. The film stars Ebbernezer Muchuwa alongside Kuda Rice in a story that captures how small acts of kindness can shift the course of human connection.
Set in a slightly futuristic world where people wear glowing battery like devices that display their emotional state, CHIKWAMA follows the gentle unfolding of an encounter between two strangers who live in the same apartment block. When Kuda misplaces his wallet, it ends up in the hands of Ebbernezer, who lives one floor above. What follows is a delicate narrative of empathy, gratitude and unexpected connection, presented through minimal dialogue, striking visuals and strong performances.
Speaking about the film, director Mboma described it as “a short film about feeling seen”. The minimalist script and vivid cinematography create space for viewers to reflect on what it means to recognise one another in a society that often prioritises survival over presence.
The selection of CHIKWAMA for CANEX Shorts places it alongside some of the most exciting short films by young filmmakers from across the continent and the African diaspora. The competition is hosted by Afreximbank’s CANEX initiative, which supports Africa’s creative economy through funding, training and global exposure.
Shortlisted films will be screened throughout the CANEX at IATF2025 summit, with awards presented in three categories: Best Fiction, Best Documentary and Best Animation. Winners will receive two thousand US dollars, full travel sponsorship to Algiers and exclusive access to industry leaders, investors and policymakers shaping the future of the African creative landscape.
The announcement has been met with pride in Zimbabwe’s creative community, with many hailing the recognition as a breakthrough moment for local storytelling.
For Kuda Rice, whose artistic work spans poetry, writing, film and creative direction, CHIKWAMA represents a new frontier. He recently won Zimbabwe’s 2025 National Arts Merit Award for Outstanding Poet, and continues to use multiple artistic forms to explore themes of African identity, spirituality and connection. His transition into filmmaking has seen him collaborate with musicians, visual artists and cultural institutions across the continent.
“Storytelling is not limited by medium,” Rice said in a recent interview. “Whether through words, visuals or sound, what matters is the ability to reach the human spirit. CHIKWAMA is small in length but full of soul.”
As African cinema continues to gather international momentum, selections like CHIKWAMA show that Zimbabwe’s voice is not only present but ready to help lead the conversation.
The 2025 CANEX Shorts screenings will be open to the public in Algiers, and audiences around the world will also be able to access the films online as part of the summit’s virtual programme.
