NAMA awards adds two categories for 24th edition

Organisers of the 24th National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) have added two new categories for this year’s event following wide consultations with stakeholders across the country.

The newly introduced categories – Fashion and Digital Media – aim to recognise emerging talent and innovation in these rapidly growing sectors of Zimbabwe’s creative industry.

The Fashion category will now include Outstanding Male Fashion Designer, Outstanding Female Fashion Designer, and Outstanding Contributor to the Fashion Industry.

Under Digital Media, there are three categories: Outstanding Female Social Media Content Creator, Outstanding Male Social Media Content Creator, and Outstanding Podcast.

Works produced between December 1, 2024, and November 30, 2025, will be considered.

The announcement comes as submissions for the 24th Nama entries are officially open, giving artistes nationwide the opportunity to enter their work for consideration.

Below is the list of categories:
1. Visual Arts
i) Outstanding Female Visual Artist
ii) Outstanding Male Visual Artist
iii) Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist
iv) Outstanding Exhibition

2. Theatre Awards
i) Outstanding Actor
ii) Outstanding Actress
iii) Outstanding Theatrical Production
iv) Outstanding Director
v) Outstanding Playwright

3. Literary Awards
i) Outstanding Fiction Book
ii) Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
iii) Outstanding Children’s Book
iv) Outstanding First Published Work

4. Film & Television Awards
i) Outstanding Actor
ii) Outstanding Actress
iii) Outstanding Music Video
iv) Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
v) Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length Film)
vi) Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)

5. Dance Awards
i) Outstanding Dance Group/Production
ii) Outstanding Female Dancer
iii) Outstanding Male Dancer
iv) Outstanding Choreographer

6. Spoken Word Awards
i) Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian
ii) Outstanding Poet

7. Music Awards
i) Outstanding Female Musician
ii) Outstanding Male Musician
iii) Outstanding Breakthrough Musician
iv) Outstanding Music Group
v) Outstanding Song
vi) Outstanding Album

8. Fashion Awards
i) Outstanding Male Fashion Designer
ii) Outstanding Female Fashion Designer
iii) Outstanding Contributor to the Fashion Industry

9. Digital Arts Awards
i) Outstanding Female Social Media Content Creator
ii) Outstanding Male Social Media Content Creator
iii) Outstanding Podcast

10. Special Awards
i) Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora
ii) Outstanding Arts Journalist/Media House
iii) Promoter of the Year
iv) Arts Service Award
v) Arts Personality Award
vi) Lifetime Achievement Award
vii) People’s Choice Award