President

A film by Camila Neilsson

Can a free, fair, and transparent election be truly possible?

When Robert Mugabe was removed from power, Zimbabwe military leaders promised they would not seize control for themselves but would ensure democracy in a national election. Against a backdrop of economic crisis, food shortages, and political violence, the stakes could not be higher. Working to defeat the ruling party, which has controlled Zimbabwe since independence, is the young and charismatic Nelson Chamisa, who draws comparisons to a young Nelson Mandela in expressing the country’s utmost desire to be “led” and not “ruled”. After decades of a corrupt group clinging to power using any tool available—legal or not—can a free, fair, and transparent election be truly possible?

Watch trailer
Licensing Options

Director

Camila Neilsson

Producer

Joslyn Barnes, Danny Glover, Thandiwe Newton, Susan Rockefeller

Runtime

120 minutes

Rights Represented

Educational Rights

Captions Available

English Closed Captions

Language

Shona, English

Press

“An essential recap of dark times and an absorbing legal thriller.”

- IndieWire

“Extraordinary—a galvanizing, epic-scale docuthriller; a vital, devastating documentary.”

- Variety

“Harrowing.”

- The New york Times

“A devastating, heartened report of democracy in peril.”

- Roger Ebert
Read More
Licensing Options
Watch trailer

Festival & Awards

Winner – Special Jury award – Sundance
Winner – Jury Prize – Docville International Documentary Film Festival
Official Selection – Philadelphia Film Festival

Related Films

John Lewis: Good Trouble

Sometimes change calls for a little trouble.

Licensing Options

John Lewis: Good Trouble

Softie

Should country come before family?

Licensing Options

Softie

Slay The Dragon

End gerrymandering or democracy dies. We can stop it.

Licensing Options

Slay The Dragon

Pray the Devil Back to Hell

Ordinary women, extraordinary courage

Licensing Options

Pray the Devil Back to Hell

Film Licensing

We distribute films globally but we only hold the rights in particular territories in some cases.

Letting us know what type of group you are will help us get you set up with the right type of license. If you do not fall squarely into one of these categories, select “individual” or contact us at [email protected].

Unsure what you need?
Here are some basic definitions to help! Please visit our FAQs for further information.

  • In-person screening: This license includes the public performance rights required to host a screening for your group and a DVD copy of the film
  • Virtual screening: A link and code that are available for a single 72 hour period
  • Streaming subscriptions: Ongoing streaming access for an institution provided by our partner, Film Platform.  Please note it takes 3-5 business days to get your streaming access set up.  Questions about your set-up – contact [email protected].
  • DVD for classroom use: This is a DVD with permission to share in a classroom only
  • Custom and secure link and code to provide to event participants during designated screening period.
  • Option to receive registration information.

Includes Standard Setup Plus...

  • Custom screening page with your logo and event description
  • Option to add custom video introduction
  • Ability to add custom resources and ‘Calls to Action’
  • Access to participation and attendance analytics

Don’t worry, you can always change this date if needed but if you already have a screening or license activation date in mind, it will help expedite the process. Please note it takes 1 week to get a virtual screening room set up.

Your Selection
President

Can a free, fair, and transparent election be truly possible?

Cost $0.00