The inaugural Africa in Motion short film competition for emerging African filmmakers, sponsored by Southern Africa Direct, has been won by Rogério Manjate from Mozambique for his film I Love You.

I Love You was among eight finalists screened at the Africa in Motion (AiM) film festival in Edinburgh on Saturday, and the winning film was announced by jury member and acclaimed filmmaker Gaston Kaboré. Manjate will £1 000 prize money to assist him in his filmmaking career.

The judges praised the film’s candour and outstanding cinematography. Jury member writer, presenter and filmmaker Zina Saro-Wiwa said, “How much did I love this film?? I Love You is much sexier than is normally expected in African film, and was wonderfully directed, and I loved the timing and pace. The film was brief and confident with lots of heart. Daring but tender and sweet.”

While the judges chose I Love You, the Audience Choice Award went toTunisian filmmaker Anis Lassoued for The Magic Crop, a charming magic realist tale that has already won several awards at film festivals worldwide.

Watch all the AiM short film finalists online at Southern Africa Direct,

Read an interview with festival director Lizelle Bischoff.