U.S. Embassy Hosts Groundbreaking Workshop to Boos...

U.S. Embassy Hosts Groundbreaking Workshop to Boost Zim’s Film Industry

Witness Runodada Zim Now reporter

In a powerful show of support for Zimbabwe’s burgeoning film industry, the U.S. Embassy in Harare has hosted a week-long workshop focused on the business of filmmaking.

Organized as part of Zimbabwe’s declared “Year of Film,” the initiative brought together filmmakers from across the country to gain practical skills that go beyond the creative process and into the commercial engine that drives the global film industry.

Becca Archer-Knepper, Public Diplomacy Officer at the U.S. Embassy, emphasized that the program is part of a larger strategy to nurture Zimbabwe’s creative economy. “We’ve been planning this for almost a year,” she said. “This workshop is about empowering Zimbabwean filmmakers with the tools they need to succeed commercially. It’s about turning talent into sustainable livelihoods.”

The workshop was led by Oscar-nominated Hollywood producer Alex Madigan, whose diverse portfolio spans both major studio productions and acclaimed independent films. Over five days, Madigan worked closely with participants — including directors, writers, producers, and actors — on a wide range of topics that filmmakers often overlook: from legal agreements and distribution strategies to festival access and team building.

“This has been such an invigorating experience,” Madigan said. “The talent, ingenuity, and passion I’ve seen here is extraordinary. Zimbabwe’s filmmaking future is very bright, and with more structural support, it can truly thrive.”

Participants included seasoned professionals, students from the Zimbabwe Film and Television School of Southern Africa (ZIFTESA), and winners of a competition run by the National Arts Council. Selection was competitive, with applicants required to show prior experience and commit to attending the full workshop.

The program’s focus on the “business of film” is part of a broader U.S. Embassy initiative over the past four years to support Zimbabwe’s creative economy. Archer-Knepper explained that while Zimbabwe is rich in talent, many artists struggle to monetize their work or access the infrastructure needed to build sustainable careers. “Helping creatives focus on the business is how you build an industry. It’s how people support families with their talent,” she noted.

One of the most pressing challenges discussed during the workshop is the migration of creative talent to countries like South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, or even to the United States and Europe, where film industries are more established. However, the workshop served as a rallying point for filmmakers who are committed to building Zimbabwe’s film sector from within.

Local filmmaker Kudakwashe Rice praised the program for contextualizing global best practices within Zimbabwe’s unique environment. “We had important conversations about creating structures and policies that will enable us to fund productions and receive fair returns,” he said. “It was incredibly beneficial — not just for individual careers, but for building a standardized, thriving industry.”

The program also fostered collaboration among participants, laying the groundwork for future projects and industry-wide cooperation.

According to Archer-Knepper, this workshop is one of many initiatives by the U.S. Embassy and the broader diplomatic community aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe’s creative economy.