European Film Festival Zimbabwe 2020 goes virtual

The European Film Festival is back: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the fourth edition of Zimbabwe’s biggest film festival will run virtually and online from 30 October 2020 to 30 November 2020, viewed through a portal specially designed to showcase this years’ selected films and short film competition.

A sophisticated selection of European, Zimbabwean, and African films, presented by the Embassies of the respective European countries awaits the audience at the click of a mouse, and for free, with a focus on topical issues and alternate perspectives of Europe. A new feature and highlight of the 2020 European Film Festival will be the BIOSKOP! Short Film Competition under the theme ‘Life as we DON’T know it! The competition calls on Zimbabwean filmmakers to think outside the box and offer a fresh perspective on life amid COVID-19 and in the realm of limited resources. The films will be judged based on content and creativity, as well as their technical aspect, with the winners receiving cash prizes.

Successfully piloted during the previous European Film Festival Zimbabwe, the MasterClass conceptualised by internationally acclaimed propsmaster Isaac Simba represents the festival’s continued focus on youth and development in the Zimbabwean film industry. 24 individuals will be selected to participate in this year’s class, under the guidance of local and international filmmakers, from Harare & Bulawayo, respectively. The festival will engage locally and internationally based Zimbabwean film practitioners, as well as European and African filmmakers, in in-depth interactive discussions and interviews in collaboration with our partners in the Input Sessions.

EU Ambassador Timo Olkkonen said: “2020 has been an unpredictable year filled more with spills than thrills and unexpected plot twists. The world is in a sombre state, Covid-19 has forced many to retreat into their homes, and many more to retreat into the inner space of their minds. We need art in hard times, now more than ever. As Team Europe we are glad that we can play our part in offering this Film Festival again, despite so many changes in life as we know it.”

More information regarding access to the virtual screenings, the side events, and the short film competition can be found on the dedicated Facebook page of the European Film Festival Zimbabwe 2020

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