The European Film Festival Zimbabwe 2024 invites filmmakers from Zimbabwe and the diaspora (Europe/Africa) to participate in the fifth edition of the Bioskop Zimbabwe Short Film Competition!
The European Film Festival was initiated by the European Union in 2016. In the past eight years, it has grown from merely showcasing European films to becoming a platform for diverse and visually distinctive storytelling, celebrating both European and African cinema. The festival now significantly contributes to the development of the local film industry, providing Zimbabwean filmmakers with valuable opportunities to engage and collaborate on both national and international levels.
This year, the Bioskop! Short Film Competition Zimbabwe seeks short films that delve into the intriguing themes of gender and staying connected. Filmmakers are encouraged to submit narratives that challenge stereotypes and highlight the beauty of diversity, while celebrating the strength of human connections. Whether depicting the bond between friends, family, or strangers, show us how people unite to support each other and make a difference.
Filmmakers are tasked with creating stories that resonate with the human spirit—tales of resilience, solidarity, and the transformative power of connection. Through the lens of gender, they will explore identity and representation, weaving a narrative that reflects the diverse fabric of humanity.
At the intersection of gender and connectivity lies the potential for transformation—using storytelling to transcend divisions and build a future grounded in understanding and empathy.
The competition welcomes all film genres (animation, documentary, live action). Films will be judged on content, creativity, and technical aspects, considering the possibility of limited resources. Be innovative, use what you have, and tell your story.
Awards & Prizes The categories and awards are as follows, with winners receiving a cash prize:
Rules & Terms ELIGIBILITY: To qualify, participants must be Zimbabwean residents or of Zimbabwean heritage living in any European or African country. Filmmakers with family members organizing or judging the competition must inform the Festival Coordinators to prevent conflicts of interest. Jury members related to a filmmaker will not judge the category involving that filmmaker, ensuring a fair and transparent adjudication process. Failure to disclose such relationships will result in disqualification.
OFFICIAL (Jury) Competition/Categories/Awards/Prize Money: An independent jury panel composed of industry professionals, academics, community, and business leaders will judge all films in the official competition.
SUBMISSION: All genres are welcome. Only short films up to 25 minutes in length and not older than two years (since January 2023) are eligible.
The submission deadline is Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 11:59 PM CAT. Submit your films through the following FilmFreeway link: https://filmfreeway.com/TheEuropeanFilmFestivalZimbabwe
The ninth edition of the European Film Festival Zimbabwe 2024 will take place from October 11th to 19th, 2024. The main events will be held in Harare at a Mbare Art Space and Ster Kinekor in Bulawayo, with pop-up screenings in Kadoma and Gweru (venues to be announced later).
