The EU Film Festival 2022 opening in Bulawayo

The European Union Film Festival has kickstarted in Bulawayo on a high note. It was a full house of attendees at the National Gallery in Bulawayo for individuals who turned up for this year’s edition of the annual event. 

The first session of the day was marked by an Input Conference with conversations with some of the country’s filmmakers. The panelists were Precious Makulumo, Nobert Mapfoche, Daniel Lasker, Donna N, and Dumie Manyathela. The conversations touched on topics that included why actors need a financial plan, directing for your market, and producing a feature-length film, among others. Attendees of the conference had an opportunity to interact with the panelists asking questions as well as commenting on the presentations. 

https://twitter.com/EuroFilmFestZW/status/1581975806514909184?t=spOXMKBnpOI8GFoYf5VqVQ&s=19

 Precious Makulumo, who presented on the topic of “why we need more women behind the scenes”, highlighted that the number of women working behind the scenes has barely increased despite the wider availability of digital tools globally. She discussed at length the need to close the gender gap in the film industry to ensure better job security. Having more women behind the scenes in film production will also contribute to the growth of the industry as we will see more complex stories about women’s issues told and also women having better acting roles in the future.

Daniel Lasker delivered input on branding yourself in the film industry. In his presentation, Daniel shared his own experience on how to establish and leverage a brand in the film industry. He highlighted that the days of getting an acting job based on one’s talent are over and there is a need to develop a personal brand in this digital era we are now living in. 

The program then proceeded to an awards ceremony and screening of the BIOSKOP Zimbabwean Short Film 2022 Winners. 

Coming up on the second day of the film festival is a masterclass on Low budget film production (camera and lighting) with a specific focus on improvising. This will be an online masterclass will be facilitated by Raphael Khisa, a Kenyan born freelance camera operator based in Sweden. Raphael works on corporate communication and content for local companies within life sciences, packaging, and gaming. He has previously worked as an assistant director and floor manager on TV and film projects that include the DSTV’s Comedy club Uganda/Nigeria Jamaa, and Netflix’s Sara’s Notebook among others. 

There will be a screening of thirty local and international films produced in countries that are within the European Union for the duration of the festival. The following week the EU Film festival will proceed to Harare for its second leg. 

The winners of the BIOSKOP Zimbabwean Short Film 2022 are as follows:

Best Sound-Editing – Exodus: A Journey to New Worlds directed by Danayi Madondo and Derrick Manieca 

Best Cinematography – Life Of The Extremely Beautiful directed by Derrick Manieca

Best Diaspora – Eruption directed by Sinamtha Nduna

Best Narrative – Chingwa directed by Mordecai Beven Musona

Best Documentary – Basketry in Binga directed by Prosper Kunyetu