THE European Film Festival Zimbabwe returns in 2025 with a powerful theme — Celebrating Women — reinforcing its dedication to highlighting women’s stories on the big screen and empowering female voices.
Marking its 10th edition, the film fiesta will run from May 30 to June 8, with the main events set to take place in Harare and Bulawayo.
The venues and further details will be revealed in due course, organisers said in a statement announcing the 6th annual BIOSKOP! Short Film Competition.
Last year’s edition spanned four cities — Harare, Kadoma, Gweru, and Bulawayo —incorporating a travel component.
This year, the festival will introduce an ultra-short mobile film competition targeting young filmmakers aged 18 to 35.
“It’s a first for the festival. Details will be shared soon,” organisers told IndependentXtra.
The competition celebrates the creativity of Zimbabwean filmmakers, while the festival showcases short films that explore the unique worldview and experiences of Zimbabweans.
This past Monday, a four-member jury of industry experts was unveiled.
- A peep into Matenganyika’s artistic closets
- The Bioskop Short Film Competition is back
- The Bioskop Short Film Competition is back
- Biskop Short Film 2022 finalists announced
Keep Reading
The panel includes Daniel Lasker, a versatile actor and filmmaker from Bulawayo, known for his roles in hit shows such as Netflix’s One Piece, HBO Max’s Raised by Wolves, and BBC One’s Noughts & Crosses.
Joining him is Hanieh Ziaei, a film critic and analyst whose work focuses on women’s representation in cinema and the intersection of film and social activism.
Also on the jury is Prosper Kanyetu, a cinematographer and filmmaker with a portfolio featuring innovative projects, notably, I Wear My Culture: Fashion Film and Innovation For Change Africa: Short Documentaries Project.
Rounding out the panel is Sibongile Mlambo, an international actress, producer, and storyteller with a groundbreaking filmography, including Netflix’s Lost in Space, Starz’s Black Sails, and Honey 3.
This year’s BIOSKOP! Short Film Competition is dedicated to celebrating women.
The statement reads in part: “We invite filmmakers to interpret this theme broadly and creatively. From personal stories and historical tributes to abstract explorations of strength, resilience, or femininity, all perspectives are welcome.
Films that highlight how women inspire, challenge, and redefine our world — both on-screen and off — are also encouraged.
“This year’s competition is a celebration of women’s impact on society and in cinema. As we look back at the festival’s 10-year journey, let us honour women through diverse storytelling and show how women inspire change, break barriers, and leave enduring legacies,” it added.
The competition welcomes films from diverse genres, including animation, documentary, and live action.
Recognising that some filmmakers face resource constraints, organisers encourage applicants to think creatively and leverage available resources to craft compelling stories.
Awards include Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Sound Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Diaspora Film, and Best Actor/Actress, with cash prizes ranging from US$400 to US$800.
The competition is open to individuals of Zimbabwean heritage, based in Zimbabwe or any European or African country. Filmmakers with family members involved in organising or judging the competition must disclose this to avoid conflicts of interest.
The submission deadline is April 6.
Launched by the European Union in 2016, the European Film Festival has evolved from showcasing European cinema into a platform for diverse and visually unique storytelling, celebrating both European and African films.
Over the past decade, it has played a key role in nurturing Zimbabwe’s film industry, offering cultural exchange opportunities and a platform for local filmmakers to engage and collaborate nationally and internationally.
