IIFF 2025 Celebrates Women Filmmakers in Zimbabwe’s Year of Film

In a landmark year declared as Zimbabwe’s Year of Film, the 22nd edition of the International Images for Women Film Festival (IIFF) created an unforgettable celebration of women’s voices on screen. Acting director Mollen Chisveto reflected on the festival’s impact, which ran across four dynamic venues and featured 15 powerful films under the theme Women Make the World a Better Place.

The festival highlighted resilience, leadership, and agency through global stories challenging patriarchal narratives. Films such as Hanami, a poetic exploration of a woman’s life stages, and HOME, an intimate portrayal of self-discovery and body acceptance, anchored the program. “The decision to open the festival with Hanami and close with HOME was influenced by the powerful storytelling in both films,” Chisveto said. “Both films were chosen to show women’s experience and resilience.”

IIFF 2025 prioritised accessibility, ensuring that cinema reached diverse audiences. Screenings at Alliance Française and the National Gallery engaged urban cultural audiences, while Dzivarasekwa Community Hall brought film to spaces where cinema is rarely accessible. Nhaka Gallery provided a more intimate setting for reflection and conversation. Each venue contributed to reaching a broader cross-section of Zimbabweans and allowing audiences to see themselves in these films.

International collaborations enhanced the festival’s relevance. Partnerships with the embassies of Japan, Ireland, Spain, and Switzerland strengthened IIFF’s global presence. Industry workshops emphasised the connection between artistry and business, with masterclasses from facilitators like Siobhán Cleary and Alba Bosch-Duran. Cleary highlighted the power of feminist documentary practice and the importance of women shaping their own stories. Bosch-Duran focused on the business side of film, stressing that development and marketing are central to building sustainable careers.

Chisveto underscored that IIFF 2025 aligned with the Year of Film’s mission to make cinema accessible, empowering, and nation-defining. “The Year of Film gave us both a sense of responsibility and opportunity,” she said. “It meant the festival was not just about celebrating cinema, but about contributing to a national conversation on film as an industry and as a tool for change. It encouraged us to be more ambitious with our programming and to position women not only as storytellers but also as leaders in shaping the country’s film culture.”

Filmmakers were encouraged to work within available resources, collaborate, and assert their voices. “Your stories matter. Don’t wait for permission to tell them. The industry will try to make you doubt your voice or limit your ambition, but festivals like IIFF exist to prove that there is space for you. Whether you’re behind the camera, running a production company, or shaping policy, step forward. Africa is stronger when you take your place.”

IIFF 2025 demonstrated that Zimbabwe’s film industry is evolving, placing women at its forefront, and showing that cinema can be both a cultural reflection and a tool for social change.