Israël Nzila Wins RFI Théâtre 2025 for 'Clipping'

Congolese writer Israël Nzila has won the Prix RFI Théâtre 2025 for his play 'Clipping', which tells the story of Do, a woman who loses her baby at a market in southeastern DR Congo. The play explores her unraveling as doubt emerges about whether she is the mother. Described as a 'mental theatre', the piece can be performed by a single actor. Nzila, based in Lubumbashi, studied French literature at the University of Lubumbashi and previously worked as a journalist. In 2024, his monologue 'Silence' was a finalist for the same prize and was read at the Festival d'Avignon. He also won the Prix Récréatrales for contemporary African dramaturgy. 'Clipping' was directed by Jean-Paul Delore and performed by Lindiwe Matshikiza, Nzila, and musicians Rodriguez Vangama and Alexandre Meyer. The production was supported by the Institut français de Kinshasa and was presented as part of the 'Ça va, ça va le monde!' cycle on RFI, coordinated by Pascal Paradou.