KEY POINTS
- The International Images Film Festival for Women opens August 22.
- Women’s voices are at the center of IIFF 2025.
- The event mixes global films, masterclasses, and partnerships.
The International Images Film Festival for Women (IIFF) is set to light up Harare this week with a five-day showcase of bold, women-centered cinema. Acting director Molleen Chisveto said the 22nd edition, running from August 22 to 26, will merge entertainment and education while positioning Zimbabwe’s film sector on the global stage.
The festival comes at a symbolic moment, as the government declared 2025 the Year of Film, amplifying IIFF’s mission to highlight the transformative power of women’s voices in cinema.
Under the theme “Women Make the World a Better Place,” this year’s edition will feature 15 films, international masterclasses, and collaborations with embassies and cultural organizations. Screenings will take place at Alliance Française, the Dzivarasekwa Community Hall, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, and Nhaka Gallery.
Chisveto said the theme underscores how women take leadership in tackling challenges from climate change to systemic discrimination. “By being courageous, demanding justice, and claiming their rightful place, women continue to make the world better for themselves and their communities,” she noted.
International Images Film Festival for Women partners
IIFF 2025 has drawn strong diplomatic and institutional support. The Republic of Ireland embassy is funding the Documentary Production Masterclass, Switzerland is sponsoring the opening film and reception, and Spain is backing the Business of Film Masterclass. Japan has sponsored the screening of And The Baton Was Passed, while Alliance Française is hosting several events. Corporate partner Elixir has also joined the festival.
The festival opens with Hanami, a Swiss, Cape Verdean, and Portuguese co-production directed by Denise Fernandes, exploring themes of abandonment, resilience, and identity. It will close with Home, a Kenyan short film by Adelle Onyango, examining self-discovery, cultural tensions, and body acceptance.
Other highlights include Ayo, a Cameroonian production directed by Yolande Eckel and Françoise Ellong-Gomez, and Los Tortugas (The Exiles), a Spanish drama by Belen Funes about a mother-daughter struggle in an unforgiving economy.
Women’s voices drive IIFF 2025 vision
IIFF will also host international guests such as Irish documentary filmmaker Siobhán Cleary and Spanish producer Alba Bosch-Duran, both conducting free masterclasses. Cleary, known for sustainable film advocacy, will focus on documentary production, while Bosch-Duran will explore women’s role in the business of film.
The festival opens officially with Hanami on August 22 at Nhaka Gallery, with executive director Hellen Matsvisi as guest of honour. Unesco regional director Nisha will close the event on August 26 at Alliance Française, underscoring the festival’s tradition of ending with a resonant film.
For Chisveto, IIFF 2025 is more than screenings—it is a statement of intent. “This is about women’s voices, about challenging the patriarchal structures that have limited opportunities. It’s about film as both art and activism,” she said.
