Acting Chief Images

Acting Chief Images We are a Southern African production startup dedicated to authentic storytelling, empowering artists & building Africa’s future in film & media.

The Darkness Between The Light wins Best Experimental FIlm at the FusionFilm International Film Festival 🏆🌍This film is ...
16/03/2026

The Darkness Between The Light wins Best Experimental FIlm at the FusionFilm International Film Festival 🏆🌍

This film is a co-production between Tayana Tales, Kass Designs and Acting Chief Images, made independently in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 by first time filmmakers who simply believed in what they were making.

FusionFilm is an international festival based in California with years of championing independent and underrepresented cinema from across the globe. Its jury of industry experts evaluates films on originality, storytelling, technical excellence and emotional impact. To win in that category, on that stage, means the work genuinely stood on its own merit.

For us as a company, this is a milestone. Acting Chief Images was founded on the belief that African stories deserve to be told with excellence and seen by the world. This win affirms that. Not as a talking point, but as a lived reality.

We also see this as a signal. The world is open to African cinema. To Zimbabwean cinema. And there is a generation of talent on this continent ready to meet that moment. Acting Chief Images exists to walk alongside that talent, to collaborate, to elevate, and to keep raising the standard of what African independent filmmaking can look like on a global stage 🌍

Congratulations to every single person who was part of this journey. The work continues 🇿🇼🎬

🏆✨ FINALIST | FRAMES OF NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL 2026 ✨🏆We are so proud and deeply honoured to announce that The Darkness ...
28/02/2026

🏆✨ FINALIST | FRAMES OF NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL 2026 ✨🏆

We are so proud and deeply honoured to announce that The Darkness Between The Light has been named a Finalist at the Frames of New York Film Festival 2026 🇺🇸🎬🌍

New York has long been one of the great homes of independent cinema. A city whose film culture has shaped the way the world tells stories and champions voices that dare to do something different. To have our film stand among the finalists of a festival carrying that spirit is something we are incredibly proud of 🎞️🤍

We are a small independent team from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 and every recognition like this one reaffirms what we have always believed. That stories built with intention and heart, no matter where they come from, can earn their place anywhere in the world 🌍✨

To our cast, our crew, and everyone who has walked this journey with us from the very beginning, this belongs to you 🤍

African cinema is travelling.

And we are travelling with it 🌍🎬🇿🇼

The journey of TDBTL goes on 🎬

🏆 FINALIST | OTTAWA FILM AWARDS — BEST EXPERIMENTAL 🏆We are over the moon and deeply honoured to announce that The Darkn...
24/02/2026

🏆 FINALIST | OTTAWA FILM AWARDS — BEST EXPERIMENTAL 🏆

We are over the moon and deeply honoured to announce that The Darkness Between The Light has been selected as a Finalist for Best Experimental at the Ottawa Film Awards 🇨🇦🎬🌍
For a small, independent team from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, this milestone carries profound meaning.

To have that work stand among the best experimental films at an international festival is something we could not be more proud of 🇿🇼🎞️

The Ottawa Film Awards draws submissions from filmmakers around the world, evaluated by a panel of judges dedicated to recognising outstanding cinematic work. Being named a finalist in the experimental category is a recognition we carry with enormous gratitude and pride.
To every collaborator, supporter, and viewer who has walked this journey with us, this belongs to you too. You are part of why this film keeps travelling 🤍

Still being seen. Still going further 🌍🎬🇿🇼

We are incredibly proud to share that The Darkness Between The Light has won the Audience Choice Award at Lift-Off Sessi...
14/01/2026

We are incredibly proud to share that The Darkness Between The Light has won the Audience Choice Award at Lift-Off Sessions Volume 12 🎉✨

This recognition means everything to us because it comes directly from the audience - the people who watched, felt, and connected with the film. The overwhelming positive response has been truly humbling and reminds us why we tell stories in the first place.

A massive congratulations and thank you to the entire cast and crew who poured their hearts into this project. This win belongs to all of you 🤍

Thank you to Lift-Off and every single viewer who voted and supported the film. Onwards and upwards 🚀🎬

We’re deeply honoured to share that The Darkness Between The Light has received an Honourable Mention at the AIMAFF, pla...
08/01/2026

We’re deeply honoured to share that The Darkness Between The Light has received an Honourable Mention at the AIMAFF, placing it among the top 3 experimental films out of 40 international submissions. 🎬🤍

This recognition affirms what we’ve been working toward. Independent filmmaking is not about limitation, but about intention, persistence, and belief in the work. It is encouraging to see African cinema, built with focus and integrity, finding its place in international spaces 🌍🎞️

Developed in Bulawayo 🇿🇼, the film was shaped through trust in process and restraint in form. Without dialogue, the story is carried through performance, sound, and visual language, exploring themes of isolation and emotional endurance. To have that language understood and recognised beyond our borders means more than we can easily put into words 🤍

The Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival is an IMDb-verified international film festival based in Athens, with submissions from filmmakers connected to major global platforms such as Cannes, Sundance, and Tribeca. Being placed among the top three experimental films out of forty international submissions is a meaningful acknowledgement of the work.

Thank you to everyone who has watched, shared, spoken about, and supported this film so far 🙏🏾✨
It is still travelling. It is still being seen. And the journey of The Darkness Between The Light continues

08/01/2026

has received an Honourable Mention at the , placing it among the top 3 experimental films out of 40 international submissions.

Created in Bulawayo 🇿🇼, this film was built on trust, discipline, and belief. With no dialogue, every emotion is carried through movement, sound, and image, holding space for themes of isolation, resilience, and inner survival 🧠✨
To every cast member, crew member, and supporter, thank you for standing with this story.

It is still travelling. It is still being seen. And it continues because of you 🌍🇿🇼

Creator & Director:
Writer:
Prod:
Associate Prod:
D.O.P & Editor:
Sound & Gaffer:
Boom: .m.nyoni
Production Co-ordinator: .martin
MUA:
Composer:
BTS: &

Cast:

nathaniel


Our Partners:thavenshilohgardens, JoyFull Treats & .ldineroche80042449, , ,

01/01/2026

2026 begins with the same intention that started Acting Chief Images.
To tell honest human stories with care, patience, and purpose.
We are committed to independent filmmaking that explores inner worlds, exploring the human experience, challenging norms, and stories about becoming. Work that is rooted at home and able to travel outward without losing its truth.
This is long term work.
We are here and we are staying. 🎞️🌍

25/12/2025

This season reminds us why stories matter. 🎄✨

As the year comes to a close, Acting Chief Images wants to say thank you to everyone who watched, shared, listened, and felt the work. To our audiences, collaborators, writers, performers, and creatives across Africa and beyond, your belief in independent film and visual poetry has carried us through every frame. 🎬🤍

This year was shaped by faith, curiosity, and community. We explored love, vulnerability, and shared humanity through short films and poetic storytelling, always guided by the idea that cinema can be both intimate and universal. African stories, told honestly, can travel anywhere. 🌍

As we step into the year ahead, we look forward with hope. More stories. More listening. More space for creativity, truth, and connection. If our work stayed with you this year, continue the journey with us. Watch, share, and support independent African cinema.

Wishing you peace, warmth, and light this Christmas. 🎄✨

With gratitude,
Acting Chief Images❤️

From Bulawayo, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 To the world 🌍Today, The Darkness Between The Light is officially screening at Lift Off Sessi...
17/12/2025

From Bulawayo, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 To the world 🌍

Today, The Darkness Between The Light is officially screening at Lift Off Sessions 2025 along with 150+ other new voices from across the world. The Lift-Off Global Network is one of the world’s leading platforms for emerging filmmakers, connecting new voices to international audiences and industry professionals. 🎞️✨

For a limited time, audiences around the world can watch the film and take part in deciding which stories move forward and receive further industry recognition.

This moment means more than a selection.
It means:
✅ our work travelled.
✅ our voices were heard.
✅ stories from where we come from belong on the world stage 🤍🔥

Audience support now decides what moves forward 🗳️
If you watch, vote, or share, you are part of this journey.

Thank you for standing with independent cinema and thank you for standing with us 🙏✨

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