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Yeukai Karengezeka Chisepo Arts Correspondent
Women’s film festival hosted by International Image Film Festival (IIFF) in conjunction with Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) started in style with a ceremony held at number 2 Canterbury Avenue Kensington on Saturday. The one week fiesta is running under the themes “The Business of Film” (ZIFF) and “Of Women, By Women, for the People” (IIFF).

Speaking at the opening of the festival, IIFF director Rudo Chakanyuka said the theme was a reminder to the world about the important role women play every day in the society and film industry.

“It is of great importance that we strive to towards an industry where there is real and equal participation of all our filmmakers and that no role considered too challenging for anyone to take on.

“It is important that we shutter the notion of “traditional roles” so that no one is limited to what they can do within the industry based on their gender.

“We aim to be influential in the formation of polices that affect us as filmmakers and to facilitate dialogue between all key stakeholders,” she said.

ZIFFT director Nigel Munyati said the festival is not just about watching films but has the aim of building film industry and change the view of filmmakers to corporate world.

“Filmmakers should start viewing themselves as entrepreneurs and that is why we introduced a course on financial literacy during the festival,” said Munyati.

IIFF is running third edition of Women Entrepreneurs Publicity Hub and this year nine woman-owned enterprises will be showcasing their products and services during the festival.

At the opening local film called “In My Father’s Village” and a Ugandan production called NGO were screened.

“In my Father’s Village” it is about a girl called Rhuveneko(19), who goes back to her family’s village to claim her inheritance when the village holds a meeting to distribute land.

Her father, Chief Matsika, died during Zimbabwe’s brutal liberation war in the 1970s. Now Ruvheneko’s uncle is Chief. As his greedy and corrupt nature is exposed at the village meeting, Rhuveneko learns of her father’s true nature.

He said 200 films were received from 42 countries with over 30 films coming from Zimbabwe and IIFF received 3 000 films, but selected 24 from other African countries and six from Zimbabwe.

The events lined up include workshops facilitated by ZIFF, a Film Forum and documentary filmmaking competition. There will also be a special kids programme called “Reel Kidz” on Saturday.

Other films to look forward to include “The lost letter” ,”Mind Games”, “Forgiven” and “Over My Dead Body” among others.