Oscar-Winner Ezra Edelman Acclaims Zimbabwean Filmmakers Following Landmark Almasi Arts Workshop
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HARARE, Zimbabwe – Almasi Collaborative Arts, the dramatic arts organisation co-founded by Danai Gurira, has successfully concluded a groundbreaking documentary filmmaking masterclass led by Academy Award-winning director Ezra Edelman (O.J.: Made in America). The visit marks a pivotal moment for the Zimbabwean creative sector, signalling a major strategic expansion for Almasi Arts as it looks toward the 2025 Almasi African Playwrights Conference that will close out the year.
Edelman arrived in Zimbabwe at the specific invitation of Danai Gurira and Almasi, aiming to bridge the gap between Hollywood expertise and Zimbabwean storytelling. While the director admits to having initial "trepidation" regarding potential cultural barriers, he departed with a profound respect for the technical and narrative sophistication of local filmmakers.
"The World is Much Smaller Than We Think"
During his time in Harare, Edelman worked intensively with a cohort of Zimbabwean filmmakers. In an exclusive interview with the 2 Broke Twimbos podcast, Edelman dispelled the notion that he was teaching novices.
"I was incredibly inspired by the group of people I was teaching," Edelman remarked. "They weren't students; they were adults, professionals... extremely bright, curious, passionate. The reference points are not in the dark... they can keep up with what I'm presenting."
Edelman noted that the "cultural dissonance" he feared was non-existent. In one striking instance, an attendee astutely deconstructed Edelman’s 8-hour documentary, analysing its "five-act structure"—a moment that validated the high level of narrative literacy present in Zimbabwe’s film sector.
For over a decade, Almasi Arts has been celebrated for its annual cultivation of theatrical voices. Edelman’s visit signifies a strategic broadening of the organisation's mission: to empower a new class of non-fiction storytellers.
"These artists are the translators and messengers of society," Edelman noted on the importance of the workshop. "They add necessary colour to a place."
The workshop focused on the "rigour of preparation" and the "universal struggle" of creativity. Edelman shared candid insights into his own process—highlighting that accolades like Oscars do not remove the pain and suffering of creation, but rather, success is a product of consistent hard work.
”Good luck, which is a result of [the] hard work that you put in. Luck is a residue of design”
Ezra Edelman running the workshop with the Zimbabwean directors
His visit culminated in a public conversation that was held at Moto Republik where Ezra sat down with acclaimed local film producer Rumbi Katedza to discuss his creative process and the feedback from his incredible initial trip to Zimbabwe.
The Ezra Edelman Intensive is the capstone of a transformative year for Almasi Arts, themed "From Training to Showcase."
It follows the highly successful "Africa Voices Now!" Festival (Oct 18 – Nov 7), which saw the world premieres of three new Zimbabwean plays: Can We Talk? by Batsirai Chigama, These Humans Are Sick by Tatenda Mutyambizi, and The Return by Rudo Mutangadura.
The momentum continues this week with the Almasi African Playwrights Conference (AAPC)
The eighth edition of the Almasi African Playwrights Conference will finish off with free public staged readings of the newly developed African Plays at Friendship Bench (9 Avon Rise, Mount Pleasant) on 18, 19 and 20 December.
Dates: December 8 – December 20, 2025.
Facilitators: Tony Award-winning producer Mara Isaacs and award-winning playwright Ngozi Anyanwu.
Mission:. The Almasi African Playwrights Conference is an annual new play development program. This two-week lab will see Zimbabwean playwrights refine new works, culminating in public staged readings on December 20. Plays developed through the conference are selected for a further year-long development, which culminates in a full staging at Almasi's Africa Voices Now! A Festival of New African Plays.
About Almasi Arts
Almasi is a Zimbabwean-based arts organisation committed to empowering Zimbabwean and African artists to create and produce professional, world-class, globally competitive works. Through training, mentorship, and international collaboration and opportunity, Almasi nurtures the next generation of creative voices and builds Zimbabwe’s arts sector.
With a philosophy of "Craft, not spectacle," Almasi has trained over 200 artists and facilitated 5 fellowships at top US institutions in its 13-year history.
Media Contact:
Phil Chard
Point Black Entertainment
Zaza Muchemwa
Associate Artistic Director
+2636773255694
