Filmmaker and director of the Zimbabwe International Film Festival, Nakai Matema, was honoured on Saturday night (28 November) at the International Images Film Festival for Women Ndichirimupenyu Awards. It was recognition long overdue for one of Zimbabwe’s most committed ladies of film.

Right: Nakai receives her award at the IIFF Closing Ceremony,
28 November 2009.

Nakai received the Distinguished Woman of African Cinema Award, ahead of two other worthy nominees, Susan Makore and Dorothy Chizawu. This was one of the awards given to women who have made significant contributions to Zimbabwean society.

When I was working on the Zimbabwe Film website last year it struck me how many of the films produced in Zimbabwe over the last ten or so years have Nakai Matema’s hand of influence. She has produced, directed, trained and currently is the director of the Zimbabwe International Film Festival.

Nakai did her schooling at Harare Convent and went on to the Harare Polytechnical College where she studied mass communications, graduating in 1993. Her entrance into the film industry was as assistant to the festival co-ordinator at the Southern African Film Festival.

Nakai came together with Joel Phiri and Dan Jawitz in 1998 to form Ice Media and Ice Films, two companies that dealt in film production and film distribution.

The Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) was born out of Ice Media and went on to become an internationally recognised festival with film entries every year from all over the world. Nakai now works as ZIFF director and producer.

According to her citation at the IFF awards ceremony, Nakai is admired for her devotion to the industry by many upcoming filmmakers, and for the opportunities she offers them through the Short Film Project, which has been funded over the last three years by the Embassy of Norway.

Nakai has stuck with ZIFF through the toughness of the last few years where funding has dwindled as the economic situation in Zimbabwe made it difficult for companies to support artistic endeavours. Along with the ZIFF team, she has ensured that no matter how meagre the funding, the festival takes place every single year.

- Fungai Tichawangana

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Andrew T   |2009-11-30 05:01:48 YAY! NAKAI! Sooner or later they had to see that you were there! Keep on pushing my sister. Much love! Reply 0   0

Annie   |2009-11-30 08:55:14 Great to read about Nakai! I am an old friend and big fan! The article doesn't give the full name of the festival or any details (where is the festival held, why, etc). So if this is the only article one reads from this site, it's a bit of a mystery. Reply 0   0

Sharon Tendai   |2009-12-01 10:05:37 Makorokoto Nakai Reply 0   0

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