Jessie Allen Commits to Strengthening Zimbabwe’s Film Industry

The recently held Zimbabwe Annual Film and Television Awards (ZAFTAs) marked a significant step forward for Zimbabwe’s cinematic landscape. The event, hosted on Saturday at Kingston House in Harare, celebrated excellence in film and television while laying a solid foundation for the industry’s growth. Jessie Allen, the chairperson of ZAFTAs, used the occasion to underscore the awards’ commitment to fostering a thriving film sector.

A Vision for Growth

Allen emphasized the importance of the newly launched Zimbabwe National Film Strategy, which serves as a blueprint for transforming the local film and television industry into a globally competitive sector. Speaking during her opening remarks, Allen stated, “ZAFTAs 2023 was never meant to be a one-hit wonder. Our goal has always been to build an industry robust enough to withstand adversity and support those carving out careers in film and television.”

The second edition of the ZAFTAs featured over 32 winners, with the event being screened live by 3KTV on Facebook. The strategy, which emphasizes co-design, co-production, and co-creation, is seen as a vital tool for addressing challenges in the film industry. Allen invited stakeholders to contribute to this vision through various means, from funding opportunities to mentorship and cultural exchange programs.

Recognizing Excellence

Key winners included Bundu, which won the Outstanding Television Production Award, and Love and Reality, which received the Best Television Production Award. Percy Soko was named Outstanding Actor in a Television Production for his role in Village 4. Code Red Studios took home the Popular Content Creator Award, reflecting the event’s diversity in recognizing achievements across the value chain.

The awards also honored the late Kasim Bay, a founding member of ZAFTAs, with a moment of silence. Bay was instrumental in elevating the awards and advocating for the film industry’s development.

Challenges and Opportunities

Allen did not shy away from addressing the challenges facing the industry. She called for collective action to safeguard vulnerable members of society, including individuals with disabilities and those facing gender-based violence. “As we shine a spotlight on gender-based violence, we reaffirm our support for fostering understanding and eliminating harm within our industry,” she said. Allen also highlighted the need to close gender gaps in film and television, urging attendees to propose solutions to empower women and girls.

Industry Reflections

The event was lauded as a milestone by many industry players. Popular events director Doc Vickela dubbed it the “SADC summit of film,” while radio personality Sara Dee captivated the audience despite a delayed start. Actor and producer Munyaradzi Chidzonga expressed his support, urging the industry to keep building on the momentum.

Other notable attendees included actors and producers such as Zinarayah, Eunice Tava, and Welly the Sound Designer, who reiterated their commitment to the growth of ZAFTAs and the industry as a whole.

A Call to Action

Allen’s message was clear: the growth of Zimbabwe’s film and television industry requires unity, creativity, and resilience. “Let us build together, each of us contributing a frame. Your frame need not look like anyone else’s,” she said. The ZAFTAs not only celebrated achievements but also set the stage for a collaborative effort to elevate Zimbabwe’s cinematic narrative.

The event concluded with renewed hope and determination to solidify Zimbabwe’s place on the global film map.