Celebrating Excellence: ZAFTAs 2024 Highlights

Zim Now Writer

The Zimbabwean Arts and Film Television Awards 2024 edition has unveiled a comprehensive list of nominees, shining a spotlight on the finest talents in Zimbabwe's film, television, and content creation industry.

This year’s awards showcase an impressive selection of works and artists who have contributed to the nation's growing storytelling prowess, both locally and on international platforms.

Among the top categories is the Outstanding Television Production Award, with nominees including Bundu, Inkaba (John Mabuyane), Love and Reality, and Drug Mafia. Viewers also have a voice in the People’s Choice for Best Television Production Award, where shows like Nhodo, Inkaba, Love and Reality, and Nhaka Yeupenyu compete for public votes.

For performances, Outstanding Actor in a Television Production features John Mabuyane (Inkaba), Tendai Madzviti (Bundu), Charles Kamala (Nhaka Yeupenyu), and Percy Soko (Village 4). The Outstanding Actress in a Television Production nominees include Chelesile Mpofu (Inkaba), Tinotenda Katsande (Love and Reality), Shamiso Nduru (Nhaka Yeupenyu), and Mercy Nyawasha (Bundu).

The awards further honor technical achievements, such as Outstanding Achievement in Editing (nominated works include Bundu, Nhaka Yeupenyu, Nhodo, and Love and Reality) and Outstanding Directing, with shows like Nhaka Yeupenyu, Inkaba, Nhodo, and Love and Reality competing for recognition.

The Outstanding Documentary category features powerful works like Chasing Levels (Dumi Manyathela) and When Children Have Children (Tswarelo Mothobe), while the Outstanding International Feature Film Award nominees bring stories from Kenya (Mtaa Yangu), Iran (In The Arms of The Tree), and Nigeria (Offshoot).

Additional categories include:

Outstanding Short Film Award: Empty Eyes (Leo Ericks Jakata), Myself (Kundai Mudyariwa and Maks Makawa), Highway Black (F.C. Stanley), Taxi (Jonathan Samkange)

Outstanding Animated Film: The Sixth of May (Takudzwa Sibanda), Muchero (Ryan Mukombo and William P. Best), Family Routine (Johanes Yeukai Machingauta)

Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film: Nesu Madakiwe (Neria 21), Ngonidzashe Chikowore (Uncalculated Mistake), Robert Chiyama (Kanukai), Marc T Mandisoul (November Rain)

Outstanding Actress in a Film: Kundai Mabviko (4KUS), Nyaradzo Nonnie Matanga (Uncalculated Mistake), Kudzai Chengedza (Neria 21), Cordelia Masalethulini (Neria 21), Auxillia Muchareveyi (Empty Eyes).

The ZAFTAs also feature honours like the Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating icons Dorothy Chidzawo, Charles Sekete, Joice Jenje Makwenda, and Anthony Fortune Ruzugunde, and the Outstanding Cultural Ambassador award, with nominees Danai Gurira, Chipo Chung, Arnold Tongai Chirisa, and Chiedza Mhende.

With these nominations, the ZAFTAs continue to celebrate Zimbabwe's thriving arts scene, recognising the country’s artistic achievements and encouraging continued creativity and storytelling excellence.