ZIMSPHERE
The BIOSKOP! Short Film Competition has shortlisted Zimbabwean filmmakers across six award categories after receiving 80 submissions for its 2026 edition.
The finalists will be recognised at the European Film Festival Zimbabwe closing ceremony on Friday, 30 October, at Alliance Française Harare, where the winning films will also be screened.
The competition, held under the theme The Best of Zimbabwean Short Film, attracted entries spanning narrative film, documentary, science fiction, animation and other genres, including AI-generated productions.
In the Best Narrative category, Naishe Nyamubaya’s God Sleeps on Sundays, Jonathan Samukange’s Chimu na Ranga, and Leo Ericks Jakata’s Moza are in contention for the award.
Four films have been shortlisted for Best Documentary: Zimbabwe on a Dish by Thembani Melusi Phakathi, Bold by Nicole Panashe, The Houses She Has Built by Clivet Chinake and The Waste Carpenter by Vincent Takudzwa Dzivarinyenga.
Samukange has two nominations in the Best Cinematography category, with Patient Zero and Chimu na Ranga, while Nyamubaya’s God Sleeps on Sundays completes the shortlist.
The Best Actor/Actress category features Alex Muziyani and Gamuchirayi Mukwakwamu, both nominated for their performances in Moza, and Leroy Siyafa for his role in God Sleeps on Sundays.
Meanwhile, The Last Passenger, directed by Imaniii None, RoundAbout by Tinashe Dorobeni and God Sleeps on Sundays are competing for Best Sound Editing.
The Most Promising Filmmaker Award, sponsored by Monzyice Creations, will be contested by Dzivarinyenga for The Waste Carpenter and Chinake for The Houses She Has Built.
The winners will be selected by a three-member jury comprising Mongolian film director and producer Nyamdulam Tsedevsuren, Zimbabwean actress and filmmaker Tendaiishe Chitima, and director and cinematographer Prosper Kunyetu.
Chitima starred in Cook Off, the first Zimbabwean feature film to appear on Netflix, and more recently appeared alongside Viola Davis in Amazon Prime Video’s G20. Kunyetu, a former BIOSKOP! competition winner, brings more than a decade of experience in filmmaking and cinematography.
The European Film Festival Zimbabwe runs from 28 to 30 October, with the BIOSKOP! awards ceremony scheduled for 5pm on the final day.
The festival is hosted by the European Union in partnership with EU member states. Admission is free, although places are limited for selected activities requiring registration.
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