Lotteries & Gaming Board and NACZ awards grant to Zimbabwe’s film industry
The grant serves as an immediate response to the accessible funding needs expressed by filmmakers, as well as the requests for inclusive opportunities from women and support structures from artists.
Zimbabwe.- The Lotteries & Gaming Board and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) have marked their support for the film industry with a donation of over $6,000, announced at a prize-giving ceremony honouring the winners of a popular short film project.
The top filmmakers were Jonathan Samukange, who received recognition for his film “Outcast”, Bridget Paradza for “Homecoming”, and Tatenda Hove for “Kukomba”.
In his address at the event, NACZ Chief Executive Napoleon Nyanhi congratulated the winners on their outstanding talent and thanked the Lotteries & Gaming Board for their generous support.
He said: “Since our founding 40 years ago, NACZ has championed strategic interventions across the creative and cultural industries in Zimbabwe. The Short Film Grant, launched by our Board Chair in November 2024, aligns with the Zimbabwe Film Strategy 2025–2030. By investing in storytellers, we aim to translate our strategic vision into real-world impact.”
Nyanhi added that the grant serves as an immediate response to the accessible funding needs expressed by filmmakers, as well as the requests for inclusive opportunities from women and support structures from artists.
He emphasised that the grant marks the beginning of NACZ’s support for filmmakers, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to providing mentorship, networking opportunities and institutional sponsorship.
Dr. Eugenia Chidhakwa, chairperson of the Lotteries & Gaming Board, also spoke at the event, assuring filmmakers of her organisation’s continual support. She said: “I am honoured to stand among such talented individuals who navigate the space between imagination and reality. For too long, our stories have been told by others, often leading to distortions.”
Dr. Chidhakwa noted that the partnership with NACZ aims to nurture a thriving creative economy and address the long-standing funding challenges faced by Zimbabwe’s film and creative sectors. She also mentioned that the Lotteries & Gaming Board plans to increase support from the current US$6,250 for 2025 as revenue inflows improve.
