By Ashley Dean Misho | Arts and Entertainment Reporter
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
A short film from Zimbabwe is making huge waves across the world and could be headed to the Oscars.
The film, titled “Rise,” has officially qualified for consideration for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best Live Action Short Film category.
This exciting news comes just after it won the award for Best Short Film at Rwanda’s largest film festival, the Mashariki African Film Festival.
“Rise” tells a powerful true story. It follows a reclusive boxing coach, played by Zimbabwean-Hollywood actor Tongayi Chirisa, who is inspired to return to the ring by a determined young boy, played by Sikhanyiso Ngwenya.
The film’s success is a major team achievement. It is produced by award-winning filmmaker Joe Njagu and written and directed by Jessica Rowlands.
Joe Njagu said that qualifying for the Oscars shows that Zimbabwe’s film industry is growing and that local stories are connecting with audiences everywhere.
The young star, Sikhanyiso Ngwenya, has already made history at home. His performance in “Rise” made him the youngest person ever to win Zimbabwe’s National Arts Merit Award for Best Actor—at only eight years old.
So far, “Rise” has been selected for over 40 international film festivals and has won more than 16 awards. Each win continues to put Zimbabwean talent and storytelling in the global spotlight.
The film industry in Zimbabwe and around the world will now be watching closely, hoping “Rise” will take the next big step and secure an Oscar nomination.
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