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Sunshine Cinema in Zimbabwe

Solar-Powered Storytelling for Change (2019–Present)

 Since 2019, Sunshine Cinema has been turning sunlight into social impact in Zimbabwe. Our youth-led, solar-powered mobile cinema model brings powerful African films and facilitated dialogue directly to rural and peri-urban communities with little to no access to traditional media.

 What makes us different? We combine renewable energy innovation with community-driven storytelling to tackle climate change, misinformation, gender inequality, and peacebuilding — creating safe spaces for discussion where open dialogue can be risky.

Our Impact

From Bulawayo, Gweru Gwadna and Lupane, trained Sunbox Ambassadors – many of them women and early-career journalists – lead screenings, workshops, and civic dialogues. Each event uses film as a catalyst for critical thinking, media literacy, and local action.

Zimbabwe Solar Cinema Audience

Our Partners

We work with Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Movies That Matter, Internews Zimbabwe, and Mai Jai Films to:

  • Train young facilitators in participatory media and dialogue
  • Host climate justice and gender equality screenings
  • Build youth-led networks for peace and social cohesion
  • Tell migration and remittance stories through film
Zimbabwe Solar Cinema Audience Speaking
Zimbabwe Sunshine Cinema Connecting

Why Zimbabwe Matters

Zimbabwe faces intersecting challenges — youth unemployment, climate impacts, extractive industries, and disinformation. Our model addresses all four:

 

  1. Jobs & Skills – paid pathways into media and green energy work
  2. Climate & Conservation – localised storytelling on environmental issues
  3. Media Freedom – safe, trusted spaces for critical dialogue
  4. Community Action – films that inspire solutions, not just conversations
Sunshine Cinema Annual Highlights map

Annual Highlights (2019–2025)

Sunbox Ambassadors in Zimbabwe  built up relationships and networks with a broad network of support from educational institutions and community-based organisations across the Matabeleland Region. SBA collaboration with these organisations during the screenings has promoted growth of Sunshine Cinema network partners in Zimbabwe which will greatly benefit future projects.

Under the SMAZ project Sunshine Cinema  operates in:

  • Matabeleland South (Gwanda District)
  • Matabeleland North (Lupane Distcrict)
  • Bulawayo Metropolitan (Bulawayo District)
  • Midlands (Gweru District)
Meet The 2023 Sunbox Ambassadors
  • Emily Mbewe
    “I am thrilled to join Sunshine Cinema because I have been awarded a chance to do what I love the most, interacting with larger group of people and co-existing with the people in my community, sharing ideas and trying to change the world for the best.”
  • Linda Muswati
    “I am excited to join Sunshine Cinema as a Sunbox Ambassador. I am confident that this opportunity will ensure that vulnerable groups get a platform to express themselves, and discuss pertinent issues for the betterment of their communities.”
  • Siphathisiwe Ncube
    “I am so excited to be part of Sunshine Cinema because I now have the opportunity to impart my knowledge as an upcoming media person using the vast knowledge I have and the experience I will gain from Sunshine Cinema. Also considering Sunshine’s objective, I am so happy that I will bring good news and change to the community.”
  • Zibusiso Moyo
    “I am excited and grateful to be part of Sunshine Cinema, a platform that I will use to amplify voices of rural communities more on issues that affect them. I believe film is a great and most interactive tool for sparking conversations and advocating for social change in rural communities.”
    • Gracious Nyathi
      “I have targeted screening venues based on the ideal films informed by what has been happening in my community - for example there is a high rate of drug abuse and I know that screening educational films to high school students will make a difference.”
    • Willmore Dube
      “I am happy to be part of this journey among young people telling the stories that matter the most.”
    • Linda Muswati

      “I am so excited to be part of Sunshine Cinema because I now have the opportunity to impart my knowledge as an upcoming media person using the vast knowledge I have and the experience I will gain from Sunshine Cinema. Also considering Sunshine’s objective, I am so happy that I will bring good news and change to the community.”

    • Emily Mbewe

      “I am excited and grateful to be part of Sunshine Cinema, a platform that I will use to amplify voices of rural communities more on issues that affect them. I believe film is a great and most interactive tool for sparking conversations and advocating for social change in rural communities.”

      • Bulisile Mnguni
        “Collaborations made it possible for me to be able to host screenings as well as produce podcasts that were targeted towards the rural populations. The partnership that exists between Sunshine Cinema and Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE) made it possible for me to have my first screenings with them during their annual film festival. This opened doors for a new partnership with the Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD). ”
      • Richard Shumba
        “I’m really positive about the impact we have made and I think we’ve managed to create a bit of ground. I actually get inquiries from people who are interested in having screenings done in their communities. I think we’ve managed to create a bit of an existence and brand awareness; we’ve managed to show that there is something called ‘Sunshine Cinema’ in Zimbabwe.”

        Get Involved

        We’ve reached thousands of participants, yet demand far exceeds our current capacity. With sustained funding, we can scale our Spark Impact Programme in Zimbabwe to include entrepreneurship support, digital skills training, and expanded media infrastructure.

         Together, we can support the next generation of Zimbabwean storytellers, leaders, and changemakers — one solar-powered screening at a time.

        Donate Now