The European Union Film Festival Zimbabwe returns to Harare from 28 to 30 October 2026 under the theme The Next Frame, bringing together European and Zimbabwean cinema for three days of screenings, creative exchange and industry dialogue.
Hosted by the European Union in partnership with EU Member States, this year’s festival moves beyond showcasing films to actively building connections between filmmakers, students and the wider creative sector. The programme combines European features from Romania, Ireland, Spain, Madagascar and Belgium with a curated selection of Zimbabwean short films.
The festival opens on Wednesday, 28 October at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe with an exhibition that brings together organisations from film, media, culture and education. The evening features a preview screening of Grounded followed by a Q&A with acclaimed Zimbabwean-British actress Chipo Chung, and the Romanian feature Nasty, a portrait of tennis maverick Ilie Nastase.
On Thursday, 29 October, the focus shifts to craft and skills development. ZIFTESSA will host a full-day masterclass on screen acting and directing with Leroy Gopal, in association with Monzyice Creations. In the evening, screenings move to the Zimbabwe German Society for Four Mothers, a story of family and care, and the Spanish title Jokes and Cigarettes.
The final day, Friday, 30 October at Alliance Française Harare, is dedicated to the business and future of filmmaking. In collaboration with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, the Chartered Accountants Academy will facilitate a Finance for Filmmakers workshop. Two panel discussions will follow: The Missing Middle: A Sustainable Future in Filmmaking and AI and African Cinema: Tool, Threat or Turning Point? The day also includes screenings of Weight, Disco Afrika – A Malagasy Story, Chez Ali and God Sleeps on Sundays, before closing with How to Make a Killing.
At the heart of the festival is the BIOSKOP! Short Film Competition, held this year under the theme The Best of Zimbabwean Short Film. From 80 entries spanning narrative, documentary, animation, science fiction and AI-generated work, finalists have been shortlisted across six categories: Best Narrative, Best Documentary, Best Cinematography, Best Actor/Actress, Best Sound Editing and Most Promising Filmmaker Award, sponsored by Monzyice Creations.
Shortlisted films include Naishe Nyamubaya’s God Sleeps on Sundays, Jonathan Samukange’s Chimu na Ranga and Patient Zero, Leo Ericks Jakata’s Moza, and Vincent Takudzwa Dzivarinyenga’s The Waste Carpenter, among others. The competition will be judged by a three-member jury comprising Mongolian director Nyamdulam Tsedevsuren, Zimbabwean actress and filmmaker Tendaiishe Chitima, and Harare-based director and former BIOSKOP! winner Prosper Kunyetu.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Rutendo Mutsamwira on Friday at 17:00 at Alliance Française Harare, featuring screenings of the winning films.
Speaking ahead of the festival, Francesca Fabbri, Chargée d’Affaires a.i. of the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe, said the edition is about placing Zimbabwean talent on the same stage as European cinema and telling young filmmakers that their stories matter. Festival Director Rumbi Katedza said the theme The Next Frame is an invitation to imagine the future of film in Zimbabwe and to build lasting creative collaborations.
Now in its tenth year since launching in 2016, the European Film Festival Zimbabwe has evolved from a showcase of European films into a platform for nurturing the local film industry.
All events are free to attend, although registration is required for selected workshops and masterclasses due to limited space. The festival takes place across four venues: National Gallery of Zimbabwe, ZIFTESSA, Zimbabwe German Society and Alliance Française Harare.
