Nqobizwe Thebe
HARARE —The Bokola Film Festival is making its highly anticipated return on August 23 at Studio Moto, with a bold new vision and its most ambitious programme yet. Branded as “A Film Festival for Urgent Times, Radical Dreams, and Uncompromising Truths,” Bokola 2025 is designed to resonate with a broader audience and reflect the turbulent global moment.
This year introduces the theme “Dreams. Now!”, which organizers say reflects the urgency of bold storytelling in times of climate collapse, inequality, and war. “This year’s edition is more than a celebration of cinema, it’s a rallying cry,” reads a statement from festival organizers.
Running from 12 PM to 10 PM, the festival will feature powerful documentary screenings curated across three thematic strands:
Stories From The Emergency: urgent narratives on climate, authoritarianism, and surveillance
Dreamers: bold, unapologetic work from young African storytellers
Frontlines of Change: visual storytelling by activists, indigenous filmmakers, and global justice movements
Attendees can also immerse themselves in Radical Futures, an interactive space for virtual and augmented reality, digital installations, and acclaimed productions like The Week. With a kids’ zone, music performances, and a food and drink courtyard, Bokola promises a rich, multi-sensory experience for all ages.
Festival Co-Directors Sikhanyiswe Sebata and Dexter Fundire say the rebrand places people at the heart of Bokola’s mission. “We’re focusing on you — your dreams, your stories, your truth,” said Fundire. “We invite everyone to experience powerful films, meaningful conversations, and a fresh energy.”
Since its launch in 2020, Bokola has incubated 45 emerging filmmakers through its Film Fellowship ZW, a partnership between Magamba Network and Accountability Lab Zimbabwe, resulting in 43 original films. Notable alumni include Jabulani Muzvova, whose film A Few Dollars More has screened at prestigious African festivals, and Sikhanyiswe Sebata, whose work has been showcased in over eight international festivals.
Submissions for Bokola 2025 are now open, welcoming short films, features, social shorts, podcasts, and immersive media across four bold categories — from frontline documentaries to Afrofuturist dreams.
