Zimbabwean film Maneater won four awards at the 2026 Rivers International Film Festival in Nigeria, including Best Overall Film. Directed by Mitchell Jane Jeke and starring Nabeelah Jogee, the vampire thriller was the only Zimbabwean film selected for the event.
Zimbabwean film Maneater has won four awards at the 2026 Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) in Nigeria, with the production taking home the coveted Best Overall Film award after receiving multiple nominations.
The achievement marks a significant moment for the Zimbabwean film industry, with the production competing alongside other African films at the Nigerian festival. The 81-minute thriller was directed by Zimbabwean filmmaker Mitchell Jane Jeke and features Nabeelah Jogee in the lead role.
Maneater, which was released in October 2026, received nominations in several categories, including Best Actor, Best Story and Best African Film. It went on to secure four awards, with the Best Overall Film recognition emerging as its biggest achievement.
Jeke, a filmmaker, actress and content creator, led the production, bringing together elements of acting, writing and directing. At 31, she has developed her career through skits, short films and feature productions, building experience both in front of and behind the camera.
The film’s executive producer, Kudzai Sadomba, said the recognition was an important achievement for the production team and Zimbabwean cinema. Sadomba, who travelled to Nigeria alongside lead actress and producer Jogee, said representing Zimbabwe at the festival was a proud experience.
“Representing Zimbabwe was a proud moment for us and we really enjoyed networking with other great icons of African film such as the great John Njamah and Gentle Jack,” he said.
Sadomba said the team had not expected to receive the festival’s highest award, adding that the recognition demonstrated the potential of Zimbabwean productions to compete in the wider African film industry.
“We are extremely proud, and we were not expecting to win the highest gong,” he said.
“As the production team, we feel we have shown it is possible as Zimbabwe to make an impact in the African film industry and representing amongst Nollywood and African greats is very encouraging to the team.”
He also highlighted the work that went into producing the film, pointing to its nominations and the quality of its technical production and acting.
Sadomba said the film had received nine nominations, although the initial festival entry had been reported as having 10 nominations. He noted that Maneater was the only Zimbabwean film selected for the 2026 edition of RIFF.
The executive producer also credited the cast for contributing to the film’s success, saying the main actors had received nominations, including Jogee, who plays Amanda.
“We have all our main actors with nominations including the star herself, Nabeelah Jogee,” he said.
He added that Zimbabwe’s participation at the festival was particularly significant because it marked the country’s second representation at RIFF. Last year, Zimbabwe was represented by Chinhoyi 7, which received six nominations and went on to win the Best Overall Film award.
Sadomba said greater support for the local film industry, particularly through policies that support filmmaking, could help more Zimbabwean productions gain recognition internationally.
“I believe with more support, things will only get better, especially at the policy level in terms of film in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Beyond its success in Nigeria, Maneater has also been selected for the Zambian International Film Festival, where it is scheduled to have its world premiere.
Jogee, who plays the central character Amanda, also expressed her appreciation for the recognition, saying the team had not anticipated such a positive outcome at the festival.
“We were not expecting much but we appreciate everyone for this recognition,” she said.
The film runs for 81 minutes and 41 seconds and was produced entirely in Zimbabwe. It was shot over five days on a budget of US$10 000 and completed on April 29, 2026.
Although the production was filmed in 2026, its story is set in 2007. Much of the action unfolds in real time inside a single mansion, making the location central to the film’s storytelling.
The production combines elements of an erotic thriller, psychological horror and African vampire mythology. Rather than following a conventional vampire storyline, it explores manipulation, desire, power and control through the relationship between its two central characters.
The story follows Amanda, a seductive vampire who offers wealthy business tycoon Maxwell Shumba US$3 million for his company in exchange for one night of total surrender. Maxwell, portrayed by Sadomba, finds himself drawn into an encounter in which Amanda uses blood and desire to expose his darkest secrets.
As the night progresses, the balance of power shifts, turning the hunter into the hunted. The storyline places the characters in a psychological contest that forms the centre of the film’s suspense.
For Sadomba, the production also represents an important step in his acting career. Although he has appeared in several Zimbabwean productions, including Varsity, Mirror of Personality (2012) and Tsvimbo muSuitcase (2016), Maneater marks his first major acting role.
His portrayal of Maxwell Shumba brings together his experience in the local entertainment industry and his involvement in the production as executive producer.
Jeke’s background in television and film production has also contributed to the development of the project. Her previous credits include appearances in Dust and The Last ECODISH, where she demonstrated her involvement in different areas of film production.
With four awards from RIFF and a forthcoming world premiere in Zambia, Maneater has added to Zimbabwe’s presence at international film festivals. The production’s achievement also provides further recognition for its cast and crew as they continue to present their work to audiences beyond the country’s borders.
