THE National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) is inviting local creatives to submit entries for the 2025 edition of National Arts Merit Awards (Namas).
Namas are annual awards organised by the NACZ board in recognition of outstanding achievements in arts and culture.
Those who wish to apply can do so online or physically by visiting the NACZ offices and consideration will be given to works of art produced between December 1, 2023 and November 30, 2024.
The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2024.
Entry is open to Zimbabwean nationals or those with residency status only.
There is, however, a caveat: “CDs & DVDs are no longer acceptable because of the rapid change in technology. Memory sticks or links are more favourable.”
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NACZ director Napoleon Nyanhi said the next session would be different from previous ones.
“This year, we have widened the pool to include radio and television stations, which will work closely with NACZ as monitors,” he said.
“An independent panel of adjudicators is selected from the sector and the adjudicators’ decision is final. Individual and institutional monitors are also selected and this year we have widened the pool to include radio and television stations which will also work closely with NACZ as monitors.”
Last year, Zimdancehall star Enzo Ishall was the biggest winner (2024), bagging two awards in the Outstanding Musician and Outstanding Song categories.
Below are the categories:
Music Awards
Outstanding Female Musician
Outstanding Male Musician
Outstanding Up-and-coming Musician
Outstanding Music Group
Outstanding Song
Outstanding Album
Visual Arts Awards
Outstanding Male Visual Artist
Outstanding Female Visual Artist
Outstanding Up-and-coming Visual Artist
Outstanding Exhibition
Theatre Awards
Outstanding Actress
Outstanding Actor
Outstanding Theatrical Production
Outstanding Director
Outstanding Playwright
Literary Arts Awards
Outstanding First Published Work
Outstanding Fiction Book
Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
Outstanding Children’s Book
Film & Television Awards
Outstanding Actor
Outstanding Actress
Outstanding Music Video
Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
Outstanding Screen Production (Full length film)
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)
Dance Awards
Outstanding Dance Group/Production
Outstanding Female Dancer
Outstanding Male Dancer
Outstanding Choreographer
Spoken Word Awards
Outstanding Stand Up Comedian
Outstanding Poet
Outstanding Social Media Skits
Special Awards
Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora
Outstanding Arts Journalist/Media house
Arts Service Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Promoter of the Year
Arts Personality Award
People’s Choice Award