IIFF Returns for 22nd Edition
The International Images Film Festival for Women (IIFF) is set to return to Harare for its 22nd edition this August, bringing a diverse range of women-centred stories to the big screen.
Running from 22 to 26 August 2025, the festival will showcase 15 films from across the globe under the theme “Women Make the World a Better Place.” Organisers say the theme is designed to highlight the transformative role of women’s perspectives in shaping society and inspiring positive change through film.
Screenings will take place at several venues in the capital, including Alliance Française, Dzivarasekwa Community Hall, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and the Nhaka Gallery.
Celebrating women’s narratives
The festival opens with Hanami (2024), a collaboration between Switzerland, Cape Verde and Portugal directed by Denise Fernandes. The film follows Nana’s journey through three stages of her life — as a toddler abandoned by her mother, a child experiencing a surreal fever-dream adventure, and a teenager haunted by the scars of her past.
Closing the festival is Home by Kenyan director Adelle Onyango. The film tells the story of a young woman navigating self-discovery and body acceptance, while wrestling with cultural traditions, family expectations and social stigma.
Other films on the line-up include:
Ayo (2024), a Cameroonian production by Yolande Eckel and Françoise Ellong-Gomez, about a young woman skilled in childbirth assistance who hides a painful secret while facing pressure to start her own family.
Los Tortugas (The Exiles) (2024), directed by Spain’s Belen Funes, which follows a mother and daughter forced to lean on each other as they endure economic hardship while grieving the loss of their husband and father.
And the Button Was Passed (2021), a Japanese production directed by Tetsu Maeda, sponsored by the Embassy of Japan.
IIFF Masterclasses and international collaborations
Beyond film screenings, the festival will host free masterclasses for aspiring filmmakers. Irish documentarian Siobhán Cleary will lead a session on documentary filmmaking, drawing from her experience as founder of the Green Shoots Festival and her advocacy for sustainable film practices. Spanish producer Alba Bosch-Duran, a member of the women’s collective Dones Visuals in Barcelona, will deliver a workshop on the film business and women’s participation in the industry.
Their participation is supported by the Embassy of Ireland in Pretoria and the Spanish Embassy in Harare, respectively.
The Embassy of Switzerland will sponsor the opening ceremony, while Japan’s cultural contribution further underlines the festival’s international partnerships.
Partnerships and recognition
Nhaka Gallery’s Executive Director, Hellen Matsvisi, will serve as Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony.
The collaboration between IIFF and Nhaka Gallery began last year with the donation of artwork, and this year it extends further with plans for a joint refurbishment of the venue.
The closing ceremony will be presided over by UNESCO Regional Director for Southern Africa, Ms Nisha, reflecting the festival’s alignment with UNESCO’s goals of fostering creativity and inclusivity across the region.
A platform for women in film
Since its inception in 2002, IIFF has established itself as one of the leading film festivals in Zimbabwe, creating a platform for women filmmakers and audiences to engage with stories that challenge patriarchal narratives. Organisers say this year’s edition reaffirms the festival’s role in amplifying women’s voices while positioning Harare as a hub for global cultural exchange.
