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10th edition · Harare & Bulawayo

2025

She Means Business

30 May – 8 June 2025

The tenth-anniversary edition. Harare: 30 May – 1 June at Mbare Art Space. Bulawayo: 6–8 June at Amakhosi Cultural Centre. Free entry.

Printed programme (PDF)

European features

Àma Gloria Marie Amachoukeli · France · 2023 · 84 min

Jippie No More! Margien Rogaar · Netherlands · 2023 · 95 min

Lola Andrew Legge · Ireland/UK · 2022 · 80 min

The Secret of Pin-Up Island Alecs Nastoiu · Romania · 2024 · 106 min

Ramona Victoria Linares Villegas · Spain · 2022 · 80 min

Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat Johan Grimonprez · Belgium/France/Netherlands · 2024 · 150 min

African features

Two features from Zambia, including Rungano Nyoni's On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, Best Director at Cannes 2024.

Service to Heart Paul S. Wilo · Zambia · 2024 · 103 min

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl Rungano Nyoni · Zambia · 2024 · 103 min

Short film competitions

BIOSKOP! 2025

Bioskop!

Entries closed on 6 April 2025

“Celebrating Women”

For the festival's tenth year, BIOSKOP! was dedicated to celebrating women. Filmmakers were invited to interpret the theme broadly: personal stories, historical tributes, abstract explorations of strength and resilience, and films showing how women inspire, challenge and redefine the world on screen and off.

Who can enter: Filmmakers of Zimbabwean heritage, in Zimbabwe or the diaspora
Prizes: Best Narrative Short — USD 800
Best Documentary Short — USD 800
Best Sound Editing — USD 400
Best Cinematography — USD 400
Best Diaspora Film — USD 400
Best Actor/Actress — USD 400

Entries were submitted via FilmFreeway.

Ultra Shorts

Entries closed on 9 May 2025

“The Hustle — Through Her Eyes”

A mobile-first short film competition. Films shot on mobile phones explored the creativity, strength and resilience women bring to uplifting themselves, their families and their communities: the everyday heroism that often goes unnoticed.

Who can enter: Film enthusiasts aged 18–35. Films shot on a mobile phone.
Prizes: A brand-new iPhone, plus vouchers

Entries were submitted via Google Forms.

Shortlist

Best Narrative

Underrated StrokesNdabezinhle Khoza
Bureau De ChangeChioniso Tsikisayi & Clinton Zvoushe
PeggyJonathan Samukange

Best Documentary

PillowLeo Ericks Jakata
Coach MercyTenford Chitanana
Weaving a Future Past: An Artist's Journey HomePrince Sivalo Mahlangu
The Role of Women in Preserving Traditional KnowledgeTinashe Simon Ziswa

Best Cinematography

Good DaysDerrick Manieca
Underrated StrokesNdabezinhle Khoza
MandlovuTamudaishe Ngwaru

Best Actor/Actress

Fulu Mugovhaniin Burns and Song
Albert Chigiyain Peggy
Angeline Cinatra Moyoin Peggy

Best Sound Editing

Good DaysDerrick Manieca
PeggyJonathan Samukange
Underrated StrokesNdabezinhle Khoza
The HolderWayne Tabaka Ndebele

Best Diaspora Narrative

Olympics at the BeachKudzi Synos
Go For the HeadAndile J. Gumbo

Industry programme

Masterclass

Producing with Purpose: Storytelling, Strategy & Sustainable Impact

29 May 2025 · Online via Google Meet

Tsitsi Grace Madhodha

How African creatives can combine authentic storytelling, commercial excellence and visionary leadership: lessons on leading productions, building sustainable teams and succeeding in corporate and social spheres.

Workshop

Acting Workshop with Sibongile Mlambo

29 May 2025 · Mbare Art Space

Sibongile Mlambo

Workshop

Documentary Filmmaking Workshop with Rumbi Katedza

30 May 2025 · Mbare Art Space

Rumbi Katedza

Conference

Input Conference: Harare

31 May 2025 · Mbare Art Space

Alex Gwaze, Angeline Dimingo, Amanda Ranganawa, Sibongile Mlambo, Martina Mwanza, Tendaiishe Chitima

Talks in the Star Building: Angeline Dimingo: Adapting to artificial intelligence in the Zimbabwe creative space Amanda Ranganawa: Film as a catalyst for change Sibongile Mlambo: Harare to Hollywood: the pivotal moments that shaped a global career Martina Mwanza: Rethinking film festivals for the SADC region Tendaiishe Chitima: Pan-African cinema in the streaming era

Workshop

Acting for Beginners #1

6 June 2025 · Amakhosi Cultural Centre

Sam Malete

A supportive introduction to performance for people with little or no experience: voice projection, body language, improvisation and character development.

Conference

Input Conference: Bulawayo

7 June 2025 · Amakhosi Cultural Centre

Alex Gwaze, Sizwakele 'Zwa' Ndlovu, Calvin Madula, Lady Tshawe, Percy Soko, Chelesile Mpofu

Talks in the hall: Sizwakele 'Zwa' Ndlovu: Owning your screen presence Calvin Madula: Building a strong actor's identity Lady Tshawe: From oral tradition to the screen Percy Soko: Synergising your first short film Chelesile Mpofu: Amplifying women in film

Masterclass

Performance Artistry

8 June 2025 · Online via Google Meet

Chi Mhende

A masterclass in performance for emerging and experienced performers: voice and body awareness, presence, technique across film, TV and theatre, and the business side, from auditions to building a professional toolkit.

Workshop

Acting for Beginners #2

8 June 2025 · Amakhosi Cultural Centre

Sam Malete

A supportive introduction to performance for people with little or no experience: voice projection, body language, improvisation and character development.

Programme

Harare programme · PDF 2.35 MB Bulawayo programme · PDF 1.6 MB

Full schedule · 39 events

Thursday 29 May

11:00Producing with Purpose: Storytelling, Strategy & Sustainable Impact · Online via Google Meet
14:00Acting Workshop with Sibongile Mlambo · Mbare Art Space