Rumbi Katedza’s new website brings Zimbabwe film to one place

July 3, 2009 by ZimboJam ·
Filed under: Film & TV, Zimbos who rock

Rumbi Katedza

Zimbabwean Filmmaker, Rumbi Katedza has launched a new website that archives information on the Zimbabwean film industry. The Zimbo Jam caught up with her and found out more about this new project.

Tell us about the idea behind the website?

ZimbabweFilm.com is a labour of love that I am so proud of. Having worked in film for well over a decade now, I have had the opportunity to travel to many festivals and film markets, and everywhere I go, people are pleasantly surprised to hear that there actually are films being made in Zimbabwe.

Unfortunately, as is the case in other African film industries, it is very difficult to access our films because of poor distribution networks.

ZimbabweFilm.com is a platform to market films and filmmakers from Zimbabwe so that people can learn about their work and access their films. It is a site where filmmakers can network, and ultimately, the website is there to encourage increased production opportunities in Zimbabwe.

What do you think is the importance of having this information up on the web?

The Internet is an incredible information and communication tool. Having this info on Zimbabwean films and filmmakers on the web will widen audiences for local films. Not only will Zimbabweans in the Diaspora be able to see what’s available, but new audiences from around the world can learn about a different side of Zimbabwe – the side where creative minds are getting together to tell home grown stories using film and video.

The short film form has become increasingly popular in Zimbabwe, as a way of honing skills in filmmaking. These short films are part of our contemporary history. Even though they are mostly fiction, the content offers a great deal of incite into Zimbabwe today. There are clips from several shorts on the site.

Furthermore, the site will also enable those who are looking for line-producers, co-production partners or technicians to find useful contact information.

How long did it take to do all the research for the project?

It took me a year, on-and-off. I was working on various other projects simultaneously, but the website was never far from my mind. I carried forms around for months and forced people to sign up. Many were forthcoming, but there is still a lot more work to be done.

The site itself would not have been possible without the support of the Zimbabwe Culture Fund and the Goethe Institute, who understood the importance of such a website, and invested in the idea. I also can’t begin to explain the immense contribution of Fungai James, who designed the site, and patiently worked with me from the onset, when the site was just a thought in my head.

Working on any exciting new projects?

Well, there’s always something exciting going on. I’m in pre-production on a couple of films and in post-production on another, so look out for my name on the big and small screens in 2010!

Tell the world: