International Images Film Festival for Women 2024
The 2024 edition of the International Images Film Festival for Women (IIFF) brought a number of films and events to Zimbabwe, with screenings and workshops taking place across multiple venues.
The festival which opened on August 23 at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe captivated audiences with a diverse lineup of films, masterclasses, and networking opportunities, drawing participants from both local and international spheres.
A Memorable Opening
The festival’s opening night set the tone for a week of cultural celebration.
The National Gallery, chosen for its spacious and accommodating environment, hosted a full house that included notable figures from the Zimbabwean arts community, diplomats, and government officials.
The evening commenced with addresses from key stakeholders, including the Festival Director, Ms. Eresina Hwede, who outlined the festival’s evolution and the exciting activities planned for the week.
The opening film, “Goodbye Julia” from Sudan, was a powerful narrative set in Khartoum during a tense pre-secession period.
The film, which tells the story of two women overcoming racial divides, resonated deeply with the audience, who were fully engaged from start to finish. The night concluded with a cocktail party, where industry professionals and international guests mingled, making for a glamorous start to the festival.
Day 2: A Sunday Well Spent
The second day saw the festival move to Batanai Mall, where the screenings began with a Tunisian film “She Had A Dream” and continued with Colombian documentary “Igualada,” which chronicles the rise of Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez Mina.
The film was praised for its emotional depth and authenticity, particularly its evocative soundtrack.
Earlier in the day a masterclass on story and script development facilitated by Gabriele Sindler and Donat Keusch was held.
This session, attended by local filmmakers, highlighted the importance of strong narratives in filmmaking, a key area of focus for the festival.
Day 3: Exploring Music in Film
Day 3 was marked by a masterclass on music for film at Alliance Française, led by multi-platform artist Osei Essed.
The workshop explored the critical role of music in film, from composition to orchestration.
The session, which included Zimbabwean film industry veteran Chipo Chung, emphasized teamwork and communication in the creative process.
Screenings on the day were equally diverse, with films from Australia, Spain and Brazil.
The outreach screenings in Harare’s high-density areas, including Hatcliffe and Dzivarasekwa Community Halls, were well-received. These featured films from countries such as Colombia, Senegal and Nigeria.
Midweek Highlights
By midweek, the festival had gathered momentum, with audience numbers increasing at all venues.
On the 27th, there was a masterclass on Film and Feminism by Carla Sospedra from Spain.
Sospedra’s session explored the power of film to influence social change and the importance of equality in cinema.
The day’s film lineup included “Daughter of Rage,” a multinational production, and the Tanzanian feature “After The Long Rains,” among others.
With screenings continuing at Batanai Mall, the National Gallery and community halls, the festival offered stories that spanned continents and genres.
The Final Stretch of the International Images Film Festival for Women 2024
The final day of the International Images Film Festival was an eventful one, drawing in those who had missed earlier screenings.
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe’s main exhibition hall was brimming with invited guests from the arts, film, NGO, diplomatic, and government sectors, all gathered for the final film screening and awards ceremony.
Hosted by radio personality Patience “Popsy” Tonde, the atmosphere was even more vibrant than on opening night, as attendees awaited the announcement of the festival’s winners.
The event concluded with a celebratory gathering, offering drinks to all attendees, while VIPs enjoyed a private dinner at the gallery’s café, marking the glittering end to yet another successful edition of IIFF.
