Open call: Zimbabwe Annual Film and Television Awards 2023

14 Aug 2023 - 09:10

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Zimbabwean filmmakers, actors, directors, producers, writers, presenters, technicians, and other industry players are invited to submit entries for the inaugural Zimbabwe Annual Film and Television Awards (ZAFTAs) ahead of the awards ceremony in Harare on 2 December.

The submission deadline is 10 September.

The ZAFTAs are the premier event that recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions of actors, directors, producers, writers, presenters, technicians, and other industry players, connecting them to global audiences.

All ZAFTA winners will be presented with a ZAFTAs trophy and a certificate of achievement. The ZAFTAs trophy is a symbol of national pride, hard work and success and it reflects the dreams and ambitions of the Zimbabwean cultural and creative industry.

Classification of films (Genres)

Submissions will be classified into the following genres:

Music: Music videos are short films that accompany a song and aim to enhance its meaning and impact. The award category celebrates the artistry and innovation of music video directors and cinematographers who have made a significant contribution to the industry.
Feature films: Film works with a length of 60 minutes and above based on imagination and not necessarily fact.
Short films: Film works with a running time of 59 minutes or less, including the credits, and based on imagination and not necessarily fact.
Documentary: Film works of between that are based on factual events or facts about a person(s) or place(s).
Animation: This genre will house all film works consisting of a series of drawing, puppets; both computer and non-computer generated, to give the illusion of movement when projected in rapid sequence. (From 2 min+.)
Television drama/series: A television drama/series is a show presented in a dramatic way and explores a range of genres, from comedy, soap opera, science-fiction to costume drama, and usually engages with issues of the day in an accessible fashion that an audience can connect with. (Duration between 5mins – 60 mins).
Online content: Encompasses a wide range of online content, including web series, podcasts, blogs, social media content, and other digital media formats.

Rules and terms

How to enter:

All submissions to be accompanied by a completed entry form here before 10 September.
Entrants who do not own the rights for the production are required to provide a letter of permission.
Each entry is required to be subtitled in English.
Cue sheets to be included with each submission for consideration under the original music category.
Entries submitting under writing categories must submit the film and its screenplay. For television, submit two episodes and their screenplays.
Entries submitting under production design/art direction, hair and makeup and costume design must submit a motivation which includes the budget, creative treatment, timelines, number of members on each team, and whether the set is an original creation or an existing set.
Submit two full episodes and a showreel of no more than 30 minutes, for the Best TV Presenter category.
Current affairs shows to submit two episodes between 20 minutes and not longer than 60 minutes. Note: Segments will not be eligible for submission.
TV comedy submission: two full episodes.
TV drama submission: three full episodes.
Online content (web series): three full episodes minimum of five minutes long and a max of 24 minutes.

Note: Read the terms and conditions here.

Below is the full list of categories:

Music

Outstanding Directing in a Music Video
Outstanding Cinematography in a Music Video

Film

Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design Award
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music/Score Award
Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film Award
Outstanding Feature Film Award
Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film Award
Outstanding Performance in the Diaspora Award (Regional)
Outstanding Performance in the Diaspora Award (Global)
Outstanding Writing for a Feature Film Award
Outstanding Achievement in Directing Award
Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography Award
Outstanding Achievement in Production Design Award
Outstanding Achievement in Wardrobe and Costume Design Award
Outstanding Achievement in Editing Award
Outstanding Representation of Indigenous Culture, Language and Tradition in a Feature Film Award
Best Achievement in Makeup & Hairstyling Award
Outstanding Achievement in Writing for A Short Film Award
Outstanding Student Film Award
Outstanding Short Film Award
Outstanding Experimental Short Film

Television

Outstanding Television Series Award
Outstanding Cinematography for a Television Series
Outstanding Directing for a Television Series
Outstanding Editing for a Television Series
Outstanding TV Actress
Outstanding TV Actor
Outstanding TV Presenter
Outstanding Children’s Program
Outstanding Achievement in Wardrobe and Costume Design for Television Award
Outstanding Achievement in Writing for a Television Show Award (Soap, Telenovela, Comedy or Drama Series)
Outstanding Educational Programme Award
Outstanding Indigenous Culture, Language and Tradition in a Television Series Award
Outstanding Lifestyle Programme Award
Outstanding Current Affairs Programme Award
Outstanding Television Documentary Series
Outstanding Reality-Competition Television Series Award