The curtain came down on the 16th edition of the Zimbabwe International Film Festival with the screening of acclaimed film called "Finding Fela", based on the Nigerian music legend - Fela Ransom Kuti as well as the award ceremony. The festival whose theme was "Universal African" saw several films being screened to wider audiences in different towns and not so traditional venues such as Copacabana Bus Terminus in the city centre of Harare.
Another highlight of the film festival was the screenings of "Camarada Presidente" a film by Zimbabwean filmmaker Mosco Kamwendo.
Camarada Presidente is quite a moving film that was done over a period of seven years.
It is based on the real life controversy surrounding the death of Samora Moises Machel, a village boy who rises to become a daring guerilla strategist and liberator. But what makes it so poignant is that Machel is not depicted as an unrealistic hero but a real man with love interests and political rivals.
There were laugh out loud moments during no holds-barred interviews with the likes of Alfonso Dlakama, the leader of RENAMO and Machel's former girlfriend - Irene Buke.
Although they both claimed to represent the people, Dlakama's ideology, views and modus operandi were different from those of Machel, however, which raises interesting debating points for the thinking audience.
Irene Buke who knew Machel's from a relationship perspective, pours her heart out but one thing she clearly pointed out was that he a was a principled man.
Then there were other intriguing details of Machel's life from his widow Graca Machel. Though controversial at times, it was interesting to note how and where they met.
Predictably the film ends in heartrending tragedy with Machel's death after a plane crash. Even if you never loved Samora Machel an icon to rival the likes of Che Guevara and you know that his tragic death is inevitable, when the moment comes, you cannot help wishing that the story could have an impossible magical happy ending.
The Machel's widow Graca Machel and Vice President Joice Mujuru attended the special screening held at the Sam Levy's Village.
Scores of film lovers also attended film workshops in Mabvuku, Highfield, Warren Park, Mufakose and at Pakare Paye in Norton.
There were brilliant films that were showcased under the Zimbabwe Calabash. Films such as "Ndodzokera Here Kujeri", "From Rural to Ramp", "Dust and Fortunes" as well as "My Dream" produced by local Filmmakers were screened.
"Dust and Fortunes", a film by Justice Chapwanya has an inspirational story where a disabled football enthusiasts who became a coach of a community football team realised his dream of playing against Dynamos.
In the African Metropolitan series, films such as "Homecoming" by Jim Chuchu from Kenya, "The Cave" by Ahmed Ghoneimy from Egypt, "Bera" by Vincent Moloi from South Africa were screened.
Like all previous years, there were some music performances at the 16th edition of ZIFF where Zimbabwean artistes performed before diverse audiences.