Cinema returns to the park — and this time, it’s all about Zimbabwean stories

By Patience Musa

Harare Gardens is coming alive again — not with music or theatre this time, but with the warm glow of a big screen and the laughter of an audience rediscovering the joy of local cinema.

Cinema in the Park has made its long-awaited return, and this time, the spotlight is firmly on Zimbabwean stories.

Behind this revival is cultural visionary and producer Daves Guzha, the creative force behind Theatre in the Park. For years, the space has celebrated live performance, music and dialogue, and now it is reclaiming its role as a home for Zimbabwean film.

“We ran out of content within two months the first time we introduced Cinema in the Park,” Guzha recalls.

“There were no films. But now, we think we’ve found the formula to keep the content flowing.”

That formula, he explains, is rooted in authenticity and focus. Instead of competing with international blockbusters, Cinema in the Park is turning its lens inward, showcasing local faces, local voices and local experiences.

The goal is to build an ecosystem where films are not just made but watched, discussed and remembered.

One of the most ambitious aspects of this new phase is the plan to establish a Zimbabwean box office model — a system that tracks real-time viewing data, providing filmmakers with concrete audience statistics.

“In Hollywood, they can release Spider-Man on a Thursday and by Monday, they already have weekend statistics,” Guzha says. “That’s what we’re introducing here. Real-time data. Real impact.”

He envisions a Zimbabwean film screening simultaneously in Kadoma, Chiweshe and even gold-panning towns like Shurugwi — a decentralised distribution network that could transform how local films reach audiences. “It’s not just about the film,” he adds. “It’s about creating an industry where films are consumed, stars are built and stories are owned.”

From its inception, Theatre in the Park was designed as a multi-purpose cultural hub — a space for theatre, music, dance, debate and film. The return of cinema, however, feels particularly symbolic. It signals not only a creative rebirth but also a declaration of independence from the flood of imported entertainment that has long dominated local screens.

“Our thrust is dominantly Zimbabwean films,” Guzha insists. “We know people are frustrated because they don’t know where to watch local films, even though they know those films exist. We’re filling that void.” Occasionally, audiences can expect African titles from across the continent, but Hollywood is off the table. “We can’t be underdogs in our own backyard,” he says firmly. “If we want to correct narratives and create employment, we need to screen our own stories.”

Cinema in the Park is also about accessibility. In a country where entertainment is often considered a luxury, tickets will cost just one dollar. “It’s cinema for the people,” Guzha explains. “That’s the disposable income a Zimbabwean can afford right now, and we’ve been deliberate about meeting people where they are.”

The low-cost model is both practical and visionary — a strategy to rebuild audience habits and revive a sense of community around Zimbabwean film. Guzha is also looking beyond the present. He sees Cinema in the Park as a bridge for the growing number of film and media students across the country who often graduate with passion but few opportunities. “We’ve been watching quietly,” he says. “These students end up doing something else. We need to change that. There’s a huge opportunity for the cultural industry to become a major employer.”

As Zimbabwe’s economy continues to show signs of recovery, Guzha is confident that audience appetite will grow alongside production. More importantly, he believes that Cinema in the Park will help re-establish the collective joy of movie-watching — the laughter, the applause, and the conversations that follow.

“The business of film is to be seen,” he says. “Why would you shoot a film that isn’t going to be consumed?”

With its renewed vision, inclusive pricing and strong commitment to local talent, Cinema in the Park is more than a revival — it is a cultural statement. It is a reminder that Zimbabwean stories matter, and that the time to celebrate them is now.

Cinema in the Park screenings are now running at Theatre in the Park, Harare Gardens. Tickets are US$1.

Zimbabwean films take centre stage. The people are the audience. The story is ours.