One of the most anticipated events on the Harare and Bulawayo arts and cultural calendar the European Film festival was a celebration of Zimbabwean film and storytelling combining interactive workshops,panel discussions, masterclasses and the screening of some engaging films from local and diasporan filmmakers. This year’s edition took place in Harare at the Mbare Art Space from the 20th to the 22nd of October and at the Ster Kinekor Centre in Bulawayo from the 26th to the 28th of October.
With free entry for all, the 2023 festival theme was “Crossing Borders.” The theme was inspired by the festival’s commitment to promoting cultural exchange and understanding through film. Through out the festival films that explored a variety of ways in which people cross borders, both physically and figuratively were showcased. The theme also pays homage to globalization and how the things film and like internet has connected people from diverse backgrounds.
The festival kicked off on the 20th of October with a mixer which featured a opening speech from the European Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Jobst von Kirchmann, live musical performances, cocktails and the announcement of the Bioskop Film competition Winners, an annual film competition celebrating Zimbabwean filmmaking. This year’s panel jury was made up of accomplished practitioners in the filmmaking industry with Daniel Lasker, Prosper Kunyetu, Sibongile Mlambo, Matthieu Eberhardt making up the judges panel. The results were as follows:
Best Cinematography
Winner: Mann Friday (Fight for me)
2nd place: Daughter of the Soil
3rd place: Ruka
Best Narrative
Winner: Short My name is my name
2nd place: Daughter of the Soil
3rd place: Mann Friday
Best Documentary Short
Winner: Create Zimbabwe
2nd place: Stella Chiweshe Interview
3rd place: My name is Patience
Best Sound Editing
Winner: Daughter of the Soil
2nd place: My name is My name
3rd place: Action Rag
Best Diaspora Film
Winner: Enigma Gem
2nd place: Becoming who I am
3rd place: MatterMoreForSis
The Euro Film fest also brought diverse films from across the continent showcasing them live in Harare and Bulawayo. “Filamu shorts”, a selection of 10 short films from Kenya, Gambia, Botswana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Uganda that explore the unique worldview and experiences of Africans was curated for a wide audience by Nkosi Kwanele Ncube and Mercy Mangwana.
The festival was free for all and opened its doors to a wide audience at Mbare Art Space, an arts and cultural center in Harare’s biggest township. Committed to growing filmmaking in Zimbabwe, the festival is working with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe to establish an EU and Zimbabwe relationship in film on a policy level.
The festival was a collaborative effort with several Zimbabwean creatives joining forces. Some of the key highlights included :
Mbare Archives – Researching the Context: A showcase of artifacts and other materials that document the history of Mbare.
Film meets Art: Documentaries by Art21: A selection of art documentaries from Art21, the world’s leading resource affording artistic peer-to-peer learning.
Tracing History – Mural in the Making: The creation of a permanent and dynamic mural on the wall of one of the MAS structures.
‘Red Carpet’ – by Takunda Regis Billiat: An artistic interpretation of the iconic “red carpet” at one of the two portals leading into the former Chiweshe Bar.
The Mhondoro Marauders Show: Listening Party and Launch: A listening party and launch for the new album by the Mhondoro Marauders, a Zimbabwean hip hop group.
The European Film festival is evidence of how collaboration with creative industries can facilitate growth for the broader community. Platforms such as this educate the masses and provide fertile ground for networking and collaboration which creates economic opportunities for Africans.
