^ Dub poet Cynthia Marangwada performs at the IIFF opening.

The International Images Film Festival 2008 edition was launched last night at an irridescent ceremony held at the Vistarama Theatre in Harare.

This year’s festival runs under the theme "Enriching Women" and explores the relationship between gender and poverty and documents the various ways in which particular women, real or fictional, escape the snare of poverty. The theme celebrates women who have successfully escaped and managed to eradicate poverty in their lives, in their communities and in the film industry.

^ The host for the evening was Tendayi Chakanyuka.

The launch was attended by government representatives, filmmakers, actors, producers and other arts practitioners. It started off with an upbeat and inspiring performance by guitarist Edith Katiji (leader of the all woman group So What), rapper Misfit, poet Cynthia Marangwada, percussionist Rumbi Tapfumo and singer, dancer Kessia Magosva. The performance was put together by entertainment director for the festival Soukaina Edom. Host for the evening was DJ and actress, Tendayi Chakanyuka.

Festival activities include the screening- in Harare and next month in Bulawayo- of 55 films from around the world (at no cost), The Ndichirimupenyu (while I am still alive) Awards, workshops, an art exhibition at Gallery Delta and the opening and closing ceremonies.

^ Cynthia Marangwada and Kessia Magosva

In her speech, to the invited guests, Women Filmmakers of Zimbabwe (WFOZ) member Joy Kimeniah, said that the objectives of IIFF include becoming the premier showcase for local and international films that interrogate the position of women in society on the African continent and to document the work and themes of women filmmakers in Southern Africa using narrative and motion picture both as a tribute to women and to create a resource for present and future generations.

^ WFOZ member, Joy Kimeniah, gave the welcome speech.

The International Images Film Festival for Women is run by Women Filmmakers of Zimbabwe (WFOZ) which was started by acclaimed novelist and filmmaker, Tsitsi Dangarembga in 2002. According to Kimeniah it was a response to the plethora of beauty pageants in Zimbabwe, “through which women were objectified and whose bodies were packaged and presented to the media as a product. The IIF was meant to counterbalance beauty contests and get people to question their personal values and the ways in which they relate with women.”.

^ Young girls hold up placards to spell out IIFF.

You can catch IIFF films at the following venues: Elite 100, Gallery Delta, Center of the South (Harare Gardens) and Rainbow Theatres in Robert Mugabe Avenue.

The Bulawayo venue s for December are the National Gallery in, Academy of Music, Robert Sibson Hall and Amakhosi Theatre.

:: See the list of films

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Tiny   |2008-11-23 00:16:42 In a time such as this, any Zimbabwean organisation that can pull off a festival like this deserves commendation. You guys have done a great job with holding IIFF against all odds. I hope it grows to become something bigger and internationally renonwed. Reply 0   0

Tendayi   |2008-11-24 03:35:06 Hi Tendayi! Looking great there sazita! Reply 0   0

hilsa   |2008-11-24 03:36:04 Good to hear your taking the festival to Bulawayo as well. Reply 0   0

Connie  - Mokorokoto Miss Marangwanda   |2009-01-03 11:03:53 Way to go Cynthia! You look beautiful. We would love to see some of your performance posted on the net. Reply 0   0

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