Zimbabwe’s Ambidextrous Pictures Launches Programme to Develop the Next Generation of Women Filmmakers

Zimbabwean production company Ambidextrous Pictures has opened applications for the inaugural edition of “Girls Making Films,” a new initiative aimed at equipping women creatives with the skills, mentorship and industry connections needed to develop their ideas into screen projects.

The free two-day masterclass is scheduled to take place from July 23 to 24 in Harare and will bring together 45 women aged 18 and above for workshops focused on story development, networking and creative exchange. Participants will be required to attend both days of the programme, and applications must be submitted through a short statement explaining their motivation for taking part.

The initiative reflects a growing push across Africa’s film industry to address the underrepresentation of women behind the camera. While women have made significant strides as actors and producers, opportunities for directing, writing, and other creative leadership roles remain limited in many African film industries. Programmes such as “Girls Making Films” seek to bridge that gap by providing emerging creatives with practical training and professional networks that can help transform ideas into sustainable careers.

The programme also builds on Ambidextrous Pictures’ wider commitment to talent development. Earlier this year, the company launched the inaugural AVEL Producers Lab, a year-long professional development programme that selected 10 emerging producers to receive mentorship, project development support and industry training between May 2026 and April 2027. AVEL is designed as both a personal and professional development initiative, equipping producers with the skills to navigate the realities of the film business while strengthening Zimbabwe’s local film ecosystem and contributing to the growth of the wider African film economy.

Ambidextrous Pictures has continued expanding the initiative through an AVEL Producers Mentorship programme, which supports selected producers from Zimbabwe and across the continent through long-term mentorship and cross-border collaboration. The latest cohort includes Zimbabwean filmmaker Rutendo S. Mahofa-Mangwiza, author and storyteller Taonesesa Tiwanna Karidza and Sudanese theatre practitioner and development producer Waad Faiz, reflecting the programme’s ambition to foster collaboration between African creatives while building sustainable careers in film production.

The launch of Girls Making Films extends that strategy by shifting its focus to women storytellers at an earlier stage of their creative journeys. Beyond helping participants develop individual projects, the initiative seeks to strengthen the pipeline of female filmmakers entering Zimbabwe’s screen industry. African cinema continues to gain greater international visibility, but it still faces challenges around funding, professional training, and access to industry networks. Ambidextrous Pictures’s inaugural programme will help advance the company’s goal of elevating female voices within the country’s film and arts sector while contributing to the long-term development of Zimbabwe’s creative economy.