Zimbabwe’s ‘Rise’ - Short Film Shows How Storytelling and Resourcefulness Win Global Stages

In 2025, the ‘Rise’ - Short Film made history by becoming the first Zimbabwean film — short or feature — to be selected for the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in New York, announcing the arrival of Zimbabwean storytelling on the global map. Written and directed by Jessica J. Rowlands and produced with a dedicated local cast and crew, the 22-minute short proves that compelling stories can thrive even when resources are limited. 

Rise centers on a young boy living on a rubbish dump in Zimbabwe who convinces a withdrawn boxing coach to train him — not just to fight in the ring, but to find courage and dignity in a world stacked against him. The film’s emotional weight comes not from spectacle, but heartfelt performances, authentic settings, and a clear narrative focus that draws audiences into its world with brutal honesty. 

At the heart of the film is Sikhanyiso Ngwenya, a child actor from Victoria Falls whose natural performance earned him Zimbabwe’s National Arts Merit Award for Outstanding Actor in 2025. His raw screen presence, paired with the experienced Tongayi Chirisa as the reluctant coach, gives Rise both vulnerability and strength without relying on expensive production bells and whistles. 

Director Rowlands’ own connection to Zimbabwe — having grown up between Victoria Falls and London — infuses the film with contextual richness and emotional clarity that feels grounded rather than exotic. The production team, including cinematographer Jacques Naudé and producer Joe Njagu, strategically used natural light, local sounds, and community engagement to create cinematic scale without cinematic budgets. 

The success of Rise isn’t just a milestone for Zimbabwean cinema; it’s a lesson in prioritising story, performance and intention over production expense. Its ascent from local streets to the global festival circuit shows that with focus, creativity and strategic choices, filmmakers can compete on the world stage — regardless of budget.