The Sunday News
Thandeka Matebesi
Sunday Life Reporter
The Zimbabwe International Film and Festival Trust (ZIFFT) has posted on its Facebook page the top 10 short films to be voted for the People’s Choice Award, saying that final winners for the Smartphone Short Film Competition will be announced on Thursday.
The short films posted for the people’s choice award are; This is my dream (Caleb Shin), Being Zimbabwean (Donna), Gwendo (Sidney Taivavashe), The sun freak (Yvonne Mutekedza), Rhythm (Mkhulisi Dube), Chibage (Godfrey Mitti), Hidden help (Calvin Tome), The last note (Shawn Ndlovu), Dungeon chronicles (Lindani Mataure) and The Appointment (Rodney Mabaleka).
ZIFFT festival director Nakai Matema revealed that the first, second and third prizes have already been deliberated whereas the top ten posted on the ZIFFT facebook page are meant to further their results.
Ms Matema said the results of the Audience Choice Award are not yet out as the general public continues to vote.
“A jury comprising Rumbi Katedza (filmmaker), Priscilla Sithole (filmmaker), Nigel Ndlovu (filmmaker), Igi Matope (filmmaker), Patience Phiri (Skyz Metro Radio Station), Franck Chabasseur (Director- Alliance Francaise) and Prudence Chingosho (Econet-Elevate Division) has already deliberated on the first, second and third prizes. Our awards ceremony will be held this coming Thursday (July 12) at Alliance Francaise in Bulawayo at 5:00pm where we will announce the winners,” she said.
Ms Matema said the competition which was aimed at giving a voice to the youth, a demographic group usually left out of the national dialogue, had about 50 entries.
“The greatest idea was to identify creative talent and also give the youths of Zimbabwe a responsible and more positive way of making videos and telling stories with their phones,” she said.
Ms Matema said the Smartphone Short Film Competition was a way to prove that people can shoot films and tell stories using their phones especially with the advent of digital technology.
