Industry

Ngonidzashe Muwonwa is an arts and cultural practitioner based at the University of Zimbabwe. His work focuses on developing creative ecosystems.

Malaika Mushandu is an award-winning Zimbabwean filmmaker, producer, model and creative entrepreneur. An AFDA graduate and co-founder of Final Cut Pictures, she directed Mirage, which won six awards, and produced Ngoda (nineteen awards) and Dilemma, winner of the National Arts Merit Award for Outstanding Screen Production. Crowned Miss Zimbabwe in 2011 and later Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe, she co-founded the Final Cut Film Lab, offering practical training and mentorship. She has served as a panellist for Mastercard Foundation's Young Africa Connects under Young Africa Works, and through Own Your Narrative advocates for African creative voices, skills, access and opportunities.

Pious Nyenyewa is a Zimbabwean animation director, filmmaker, and founder of ALULA ANIMATION in Harare. His work spans animation, film, visual effects, and immersive experiences, combining storytelling, design, and technology. He co-directed Mukudzei for Disney+'s Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, bringing African perspectives to international audiences. Since founding ALULA in 2018, he has led teams on commercials, educational films, and cultural projects, collaborating with Disney, Triggerfish, UNESCO, Econet, Steward Bank, and Dairibord. His practice also includes digital heritage interpretation, interactive media, and game development, helping audiences engage with Great Zimbabwe's history. Storytelling remains central, focusing on African people, places, and perspectives.

Jonathan Samukange (DYREKTAO) is a Zimbabwean writer, director, producer and editor, and founder/CEO of Dream Hous Pictures and DHP Academy in Harare. He amplifies African voices through storytelling and visuals. Honours include NAMA Outstanding Music Video Director, Best Film at the Chicago Hip Hop Awards, Bioskop Film Festival awards and a Los Angeles Live Score Film Festival win. A New York Film Academy BFA graduate (GPA 3.8), he returned to build a globally competitive industry. Since 2021 he has led DHP's six-person studio, directed projects in Angola and India, and trained emerging filmmakers. He is fluent in English and Shona.