Women Filmmakers of Zimbabwe, who are the organisers of the annual film fete — the International Images Film Festival — are calling for entries from local filmmakers, production houses and embassies for consideration in this year’s edition of the event.

The 2012 IIFF edition will be held in four different areas — Harare, Bulawayo, Gwanda and Binga — from November 23 to December 1.

This year, there are great expectations of an increase in the number of film submissions compared to last year, which had a total of 62 entries.

Like in previous years, the films are expected to touch on a number of issues affecting the Zimbabwean society.

These include social, political and economic empowerment of women, access to education, environment awareness, gender-based violence and the nation’s relation to universal issues.

This will be in line with this year’s theme, “Women Alive”, aimed at portraying women’s resilience in the face of repression, brutality and poverty.

“The theme celebrates women in transition and recognises the positive peace-building change that individual women can bring to their homes, communities and nations.

“The theme engages with the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number 3, promoting gender equality and empowering women, in relation to all the other MDGs.

“Questions to be considered under this theme are whether the rhetoric of investing in women has been turned into real advancement of them (women) in society or just a promise that remains on paper

“Also considered is the threats from all kinds of violence from domestic to militaristic and how women overcome these threats in the home, the workplace, the public space and the world,” said Yvonne Jila, the director of the festival.

She said the films to be submitted for consideration should have entertainment value as well an in-depth probing of relevant issues affecting women.

“While the films should have all the attributes of good cinema, including good production values and entertainment value, they should also show some analysis of the woman or women featured.

“Production date is irrelevant, but the film must have women in lead roles.

“Ideally, the film should be witty and humorous, featuring women who are not afraid to push boundaries in their quests, women who embrace the principles of extreme leadership,” Jila said.

The International Images Film Festival is renowned in Southern Africa for its promotion of women’s agendas through films.

It has risen to become one of the country’s leading film festivals.

Those who want to submit their films can get in touch with the organisers on email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or capatrust.org