Berlinale Calls for Acquittal of Zimbabwean Filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga – Global Bulletin

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran The Berlin International Film Festival has called for the acquittal of Zimbabwean author and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga (“I Want a Wedding Dress”) who served on the international jury of the festival earlier this year.

Dangarembga was arrested in July 2020 at a protest in Harare along with journalist Julie Barnes, where both were calling for the release of journalists and for institutional reforms.They are being charged with inciting public violence, disturbing the peace and bigotry, and with violations of COVID regulations.

The women have since been released on bail, but they have also been subpoenaed 26 times. In the trial, now taking place before the anti-corruption Court in Harare, a decision will be made whether to drop the case or seek a verdict. “As an institution that stands up for freedom of speech and freedom of artistic expression worldwide, we ask the government of Zimbabwe to clear Tsitsi Dangarembga and Julie Barnes of all charges, or to drop the case.

Both women have consistently campaigned for freedom in courageous and artistically compelling ways. The right to free speech is anchored in Zimbabwe’s constitution, and to deny that right to these women would be unconstitutional,” said Berlinale directors Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian.A networking event aimed at helping displaced Ukrainian filmmakers recently relocated to London get work in the U.K.