Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
THE National Arts Council of Zimbabwe’s recent announcement of a US$6 000 grant to revitalise the country’s film sector has been met with enthusiasm from local creatives, filmmakers, and content creators.
The grant is seen as a significant boost, bridging the funding and resource gap that has hindered the industry’s growth.
The grant is expected to empower local talent to produce more diverse and impactful stories, ultimately elevating Zimbabwe’s film industry to compete globally.
With this development, local filmmakers are optimistic about the future, anticipating a surge in innovative and engaging content that showcases the country’s rich cultural heritage.
“The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe is pleased to announce the launch of a short film grant, a new initiative designed to support and nurture the growth of Zimbabwe’s film industry. The grant aims to empower local filmmakers and encourage innovative storytelling,” said NACZ communications and marketing manager, Agga Nyabinde recently.
The grant will be awarded to three filmmakers, each receiving US$2 000 to pursue their respective projects, aligning with efforts by Government through the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture to rejuvenate Zimbabwe’s film industry.
The short films funded through this grant, supported by the Lotteries and Gaming Board, must focus on Zimbabwean themes and narratives while aligning with the principles outlined in the Zimbabwe Film Strategy.
The winning films will be included in a national film repository and showcased at both local and international film festivals, offering them a platform for wider recognition.
“Applicants should be a member of a recognised film organisation/association registered with NACZ, and the proposed production must be a new short film with a maximum duration of 20 minutes. A panel of five seasoned industry experts will adjudicate the applications based on a structured evaluation methodology,” NACZ said.
Interested applicants must submit their cover letters by April 14, along with their profiles or CV, filmography, pitch deck or equivalent (outlining the plot and synopsis) and justification for why the grant should be awarded to them.
Diamond FM station manager and arts critic, Jabulani ‘JB’ Mangezi said: “The grant aimed at revitalising the country’s film sector is a very, very, very positive development, even though the amount, when you look at it in absolute dollar terms, is not enough, considering the vast number of players in the film industry across Zimbabwe.
“But the fact that this is available will enable artistes to at least compete for something that is there, and that recognition alone is vital, because one of the greatest challenges that filmmakers in the film industry have faced is resources. They don’t have the money, yet they have amazing ideas. They have amazing concepts, amazing scripts, and got very talented actors out there and directors.
“They just lack the resources, and it goes without saying that film is one of the more expensive of art forms, because the amount of money that you need for costumes, for sets, to acquire venues, for mobility, to just be able to outfit your actors, and also to remunerate the actors, and then the post-production process, it is quite a huge demand on every level. But with these funds being available, it really makes it easy for at least those who manage to meet the terms for the grant to at least have a bit of finances to work with.”
Arts commentator, Keavan Simomondo said: “This grant is a testament to NACZ’s commitment to revitalising Zimbabwe’s film sector. I am excited to see the amazing projects that will emerge from this initiative.”
Tawanda ‘WaCharie’ Charie chipped in: “Very good efforts by our motherboard to improve our film industry, which shows that our cries are not falling on deaf ears, indeed we have a listening leadership with desire for the growth of the industry to match global standards, good luck to the three who will win the grant.”
Local filmmaker and award-winning producer and director, Igi Matope said: “Of all forms of art, film is the most expensive to do or produce and in some cases the least rewarding. The fund will help ease the financial strain. The initiative also promises to market and distribute the films in international festivals. We hope that will also bridge the gap of distribution by connecting local filmmakers with international markets.”
Arts manager, Kelvin Dozwa said: “This is a long-awaited opportunity for filmmakers in Zimbabwe. I would like to thank the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe for this noble initiative. I hope for a larger grant in terms of funding in the future, as film productions require a significant number of people to work both behind the scenes and on set.”
