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Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]

The nominees for the second edition of the Zimbabwe Annual Film and Television Awards (Zafta) have been unveiled as the awards ceremony, scheduled for November 30 in Harare, approaches.

Zafta, Zimbabwe’s premier independent film and television awards, celebrates creative excellence within the industry, recognising and promoting talent, innovation, and artistry. Organised by the Cinema Society of Zimbabwe in partnership with various sponsors, this year’s awards have refined their categories and introduced new ones, including Outstanding International Feature Film to encourage global participation, Outstanding Performance in the Diaspora to honour Zimbabwean talent abroad, and a Student Film category for emerging filmmakers from educational institutions.

Notable nominated productions include Inkaba, Bundu, Nyanga, Neria 21, and Ollah 7 Podcast. Among the artistes contending for awards are John Mabuyane, Chiedza Mhende, Percy Soko, Chelesile Mpofu, Andile Ndlovu, Kuda Bwititi, Solomon Mandaza, and Thulani Dube.

In their statement, event organisers highlighted two significant awards for this year’s ceremony: “The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises the enduring contributions of film and television professionals whose exceptional talent and dedication have shaped the industry. This award honours their legacy of creativity, influence, and commitment to storytelling, celebrating a career that has inspired generations and enriched the cultural landscape.”

“The Outstanding Cultural Ambassador Award honours filmmakers abroad who tirelessly promote Zimbabwean culture through their work. Their dedication to showcasing our rich heritage and narratives on international platforms elevates Zimbabwe’s artistic presence and fosters cultural exchange and appreciation worldwide.”

Below is the full list of nominees:

Outstanding Television Production Award

* Bundu

* Inkaba (John Mabuyane)

* Love and Reality

* Drug Mafia

2. People’s Choice for Best Television Production Award (Public Voting)

* Nhodo

* Inkaba

* Love and Reality

* Nhaka Yeupenyu

3. Popular Content Creator Award (Public Voting)

* Chipo the Trouble Maker

* MoojayaZW

* Code Red

* Kingslee ZW

4. Outstanding Actor in a Television Production Award

* John Mabuyane in Inkaba

* Tendai Madzviti in Bundu

* Charles Kamala in Nhaka Yeupenyu

* Percy Soko in Village 4

5. Outstanding Actress in a Television Production Award

* Chelesile Mpofu in Inkaba

* Tinotenda Katsande in Love and Reality

* Shamiso Nduru in Nhaka Yeupenyu

* Mercy Nyawasha in Bundu

6. Outstanding Achievement in Editing for Television Production Award

* Andile Ndlovu – Bundu

* Nhaka Yeupenyu

* Nhodo

* Love and Reality

7. Outstanding Directing for a Television Production Award

* Nyaka Yeupenyu

* Inkaba

* Nhodo

* Love and Reality

8. Outstanding Writing for a Television Production Award

* Village 4

* Inkaba

* Nhaka Yeupenyu

* Drug Mafia

9. Outstanding Television Presenter Award

* Mazwi – Zim Uncovered

* Joylene Fatima Ismail – The Design Show

* Oslie Matsikinyeri – Diplomatic Couch

10.Outstanding Documentary Award

* Chasing Levels (Dumi Manyathela)

* When Children Have Children (Tswarelo Mothobe)

11.Outstanding International Feature Film Award

* Mtaa Yangu (Kenya)

* In The Arms of The Tree (Islamic Republic of Iran)

* Offshoot (Nigeria)

12.Outstanding International Documentary Film Award

* Torn From the Tundra (Russian Federation)

* Giants In Motion (Botswana)

* Russian Marriage Quest (Russian Federation)

13.Outstanding International Short Film Award

* Baratani (The Hill of Lovers) (Botswana)

* Thief (Kenya)

* Where The River Divides (Kenya)

* 1992 (Kenya)

14.Outstanding International Animation Award

* Death Valley (Kenya)

* Loupetoo (Islamic Republic of Iran)

15.Excellence in Indigenous Cultural Expression on Screen Award

* Inkaba (John Mabuyane)

* Nhaka Yeupenyu (Munashe Chitsiga)

* Drug Mafia (Kuda Bwititi)

* Village 4 (Solomon Mandaza, Thulani Dube and Percy Soko)

16.Outstanding Animated Film Award

* The Sixth of May (Takudzwa Sibanda)

* Muchero by Ryan Mukombo and William P. Best

* Family Routine by Johanes Yeukai Machingauta

17.Outstanding Feature Film Award

* 4KUS (Billy Kabasa and Ngoni Alex Robbins)

* Neria 21 (Vimbai Sinchuke)

* Uncalculated Mistake (Fradreck Mandere)

* Nyanga (Talent Chitauro)

18.Outstanding Short Film Award

* Empty Eyes by Leo Ericks Jakata

* Myself by Kundai Mudyariwa and Maks Makawa)

* Highway Black by F.C. Stanley

* Taxi by Jonathan Samkange

19. Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film Award

* Nesu Madakiwe in Neria 21

* Ngonidzashe Chikowore in Uncalculated Mistake

* Robert Chiyama in Kanukai

* Marc T Mandisoul in November Rain

20. Outstanding Actor in a Short Film Award

* Munya Chidzonga in Taxi

* Tinotenda Hudson Chibaya in Myself

* Bex Ndlovu in Count to Three

* Adler Mbofana in Dollar

21. Outstanding Actress in a Film Award

* Kundai Mabviko in 4KUS

* Nyaradzo Nonnie Matanga in Uncalculated Mistake

* Kudzai Chengedza in Neria 21

* Cordelia Masalethulini in Neria 21

* Auxillia Muchareveyi in Empty Eyes

22.Outstanding Screenwriting Award

* Neria 21

* Uncalculated Mistake (Ashley Rumbidzayi Rundofa)

* 4KUS (Billy Kabasa)

* Kanukai (Felix Mutasa)

23.Best Achievement in Directing Award

* Trust Sayi for Neria 21

* Billy Kabasa for 4KUS

* Louisa Chido Madzivanzira for Saunyama

* Robert Mhuka for Uncalculated Mistake

24.Best Achievement in Cinematography Award

* Neria 21 (Siyabonga Sayi)

* 4KUS

* Nyanga (Andre Ndhlovu and Brandon Mushaninga)

* Empty Eyes (Leo Ericks Jakata)

25.Best Achievement in Production Design Award

* Kanukai

* Neria 21

* 4KUS

* Nyanga

26.Best Achievement in Costume Design Award

* Nyanga

* 4KUS

* Neria 21

* Saunyama

27.Best Achievement in Sound Design Award

* Worker Bee

* Neria 21

* Uncalculated Mistake

* Nyanga

28.Best Achievement in Editing Award

* Neria 21

* 4KUS (Billy Kabasa)

* November Rain (Allie Winters)

* Nyanga (Andre Ndhlovu and Brandon Mushaninga)

29.Best Achievement in Makeup & Hairstyling Award

* 4KUS

* Neria 21

* Uncalculated Mistake

* Saunyama

30. Outstanding Podcasting Award

* Haku Stream

* In Conversation with Trevor

* Ollah 7 Podcast

* The Denny J Show

31.Film and Television Reporting Excellence Award

* Natasha Tariro Mutsiba

* Anesu Lorraine Mirisawu

* Kingstone Zimunya

* Tendai Sauta

Honorary

32. Lifetime Achievement Award

* Dorothy Chidzawo

* Charles Sekete

* Joice Jenje Makwenda

* Anthony Fortune Ruzugunde

33. Outstanding Contributor Award

* Alice Tagwirei

34. Outstanding Cultural Ambassador

* Danai Gurira

* Chipo Chung

* Arnold Tongai Chirisa

* Chiedza Mhende