‘ZAIRE’ Scores 3rd Award at Athens Int’l Film Festival
A still from Iman DuPree’s ZAIRE. Carmen Banks as Zaire (L), Benji as Marcus (R)
Marking its 6th selection, Zaire makes another stop on its global circuit at the Athens Int’l Monthly Film Festival. Iman DuPree’s debut picture previous screened at the Sweden Film Awards and the Asian Int’l Film Festival in Kolkata, India; in which Zaire won “Best LGBT Film” at both festivals.
On its Mediterranean trip Carmen Banks (The Miss Pat Show, WandaVision, The Game) alongside emerging co-star Benji, score a 3rd decoration for Best LGBT Film, showing that Black intersectional and underground cinema thrives worldwide.
‘ZAIRE’ Scores 3rd Award at Athens Int’l Film Festival
ZAIRE (penned, directed, lensed & edited by Iman DuPree; funded in-part by the Maryland State Arts Council) stars Carmen Banks as Zaire alongside emerging co-star Benji as Marcus. Supporting the duo is Venus Kii Thomas (Octavia) and Aaron Davis (Troy), with diverse voice talent from Janice Davis, India Ford, Miera Corey, and Johnathan Mitchell-Dixon.
In the 2-day tale, DuPree takes us back to the end of Covid lockdown restrictions, where varying pandemic perils surprisingly unite Zaire and Marcus. Yet societal expectations couldn’t push them further apart. Their journey comes to American soil this summer with hopeful screenings across major cities, in parallel of other international film festivals.
“Great representation with a stellar cast. Touching, funny and REAL. A must watch!”
2026 - 75 minutes - Drama, Romance, Arthouse - 2.4:1 - Black & White + Color - United States
On March 21, 2027, Zaire will compete alongside 11 other monthly winners in AIMAFF’s annual competition where it could score Best LGBT Film of the year (similar to its March 2026 Sweden Film Awards win).
ZAIRE has also been selected at festivals in the UK, including the International Celebration of Cinema, the Mega Movie Awards, and the Global Indie Filmmaker Awards. The Iman DuPree Arthouse anticipates selections in South Korea, South Africa, Australia, Brazil and Canada alongside domestic US film festivals.
Official selection announcements are forthcoming.
Curious cinephiles can support the film directly by pre-ordering ZAIRE today at www.irisofiman.org - and score an exclusive preview before its early release.
A still from Iman DuPree’s ZAIRE. Benji as Marcus (L), Carmen Banks as Zaire (R)
-From The Iman DuPree Arthouse - MAY 2026
info@irisofiman.org - www.irisofiman.org - DOWNLOAD ZAIRE PRESS KIT
Keywords: ZAIRE, 2026 Film Awards, Indie Film, Independent Film, LGBTQ, Black Cinema, Black Queer Film / Queer Film, Maryland Film, Maryland State Arts Council, AIMAFF, Athens International Monthly Art Film Fest
About Us
The Iman DuPree Arthouse is an underground artist collective, creating the intersectional stories that Hollywood won’t. Established in 2024 by five artists and community organizers, this lean team partnered to secure grants and other contributed revenue to harness the power of cinema, to share edifying storytelling globally.
The Iman DuPree Arthouse is fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit.
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