The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is East Africa's Largest film and arts festival, exhibiting the latest and best films and promoting film talents from across the African Continent, the Dhow Countries and beyond.
For its 22nd Edition the festival is delighted to announce the new heads, influential South Africa film duo Faith Isiakpere the new CEO, and Firdoze Bulbulia, the Festival Director. They are leading the festival in a new direction under this year's theme 'New Dawn' and will add new and exciting elements tot he programme. They are keen for ZIFF to. be a space for learning and exchange, under the motto 'each one, teach one' ensuring that it continues th act as a flagship for filmmakers in East Africa. In line with this they have worked throughout the year to train 64 local filmmakers who will showcase their short films at the opening of the festival.
This year the festival received over 3400 entries from over 135 countries. These entries are being watched and selected by a curatorial team made up. of. 26 film professionals from. across the world. The rigorous process ensured that a wide range of fiction features films, animations, documentaries and short films are included in the programme.
Key stands for 2019 will include, Sail by Dhow - celebrating Zanzibar's importance among the. Dhow countries; Hidden Doors - will draw inspiration from the beautiful and iconic Zanzibar doors and will include. a series of pop-up arts. and film events located behind doors in Stone town; Africa Animated - will bring a variety of animation styles from across the Dhow and the African continent to the big screen: A focus on Pan-Africanism, will celebrate Pan-Afrcanism ideas. within the creative industries, this will be reflected in the South African phrase. of Ubuntu - I am because you are - and the interconnectedness of the pasts and futures of the African continent and the diaspora.
Films in Competition include;
Feature Films
Subira - Directed by Sippy Chadha - Kenya (this will be the opening Film)
10 Days before the Wedding - Directed by Ama Gamal - Yamen
Fatwa - Directed by Mahmoud Ben Mahmoud - Tunusia
Indigo - Directed by Selma Bargach - Morocco
Sema - Directed by Timoth Conrad Kachumia - Tanzania
Dema - Directed. by Ussi Haji - Tanzania
Mabata Bata - Directed b y Sol de Carvalho - Mozambique
I won't Bear no More - Directed by Abraham Gezahegne - Ethiopia
Expelling Directed by Geng Changqing - China
The Lift Boy - Directed by Jonathan. Augustin - India
The Skier - Directed b y. Fereydoun. Najafi - Iran
Oga Bolaji - Directed by Kayode Kasum. - Nigeria
Fan of Amoory - Directed by Amer Salmeen Al Murry - UAE
Short Films
Nada - Directed by Adel Ahmed Yehia - Egypt
Mirabel - Directed by Judith Audu - Nigeria
Facing North - Directed by Tukei Muhumza - Uganda
Drowning in Sands - Directed by Lucy Provan - Sudan
Twinkle Power to Change - Directed by Aftab Abbasi - Pakistan
Hello Rain - Directed by C.J. Obasi - Nigeria
Sega - Directed by Idil Ibrahim - Senegal
Didi & Boodi - A Cloudy Day and A Little Cheat - Directed by Mona Abdollah Shahi - Iran
Please Frog, just one sip - Directed by Diek Grobler - South Africa
Greed - Directed by Chiguer Marwan - Morocco
Choices - Directed byStephen Shima Iosun - Nigeria
Empty View - Directed by Ali Are Ghanatnowi - Iran
Caged - Directed by Stanslaus Manthi - Kenya
The Fox - Directed by Sadegh Javadi Nikjeh- Iran
My Country - Directed by Diek Grobler - South Africa
When - Directed by Tafadzwa Tarumbwa - Zimbabwe
Documentaries
A City and The Lost Art of Happiness - Directed by Nada Ibrahim - Egypt
Someone to Blame- The Ahmed Timol Inquest - Directed by Never Samuel - South Africa
Burkinabe Bounty; Agroecology in Burkina Faso - Directed byLara Lee - Burkina Faso/ South Africa
Not in my Neighbourhood - Directed by Kurt Orderson - South Africa
Forgiveness; The Secret of Peace - Directed by Katsey Long - Rwanda
Mouth Canon - Directed by Angelo Lopes - Cape Verde
Fahari Yetu - Zanzibar Saves its Sea - Directed by Richard Magumba - Zanzibar
Black February, Twenty Years Later - Directed by Selven Naidu - Mauritius
The festival is also going to host a number of workshops including one focused on Bongo Movies (the local Tanzanian film industry), looking at how stories have changed, and how and why audiences respond to these films. The workshop features prominent Tanzanian filmmakers including, Mail Shivji, with reference to T-Junction, Vincensia Shule, with reference to Chungu Issa Mbura, with Crush Martin Mhando, with reference to Bhiriri, and will be chaired by Rod Stoneman and Mette Hjort.
With the support of the South African National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission (KZNFC), The South African Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) and the South African High Commission in Tanzania. ZIFF will also have a number of high-profile South Africa musician, filmmakers and artists in the mix. Music legends Sipho Hotstix and Yvonne Chaka Chaka will be in attendance. Hotstix one of South Africa's best loved soul musicians, will share his extensive knowledge and experience during workshops. Known as the 'Princess. of Africa' Chaka. Chaka has been at. the forefront. of South African popular music for 27 years, she will perform in the famous Mambo Club, and host a high tea in the Old Fort where she will launch her latest book. Songs like 'I'm Burning Up', 'Thank You Mr DJ', 'I'Il Cry for Freedom' amongst others ensured Chaka Chaka's stardom. The song 'Umqombothi was featured in the opening scene of the 2004 movie 'Hotel Rwanda', In addition to this the NFVF will also present a selection of films from South Africa including 'Deep End' Directed by Eubulus Timothy - South Africa , 'Whispering Truth to Power' Directed by Shameela Seedat - South Africa and 'Five Fingers for Merselles' Directed by Michael Matthews - South Africa.
As always there will be the annual Children's Panorama, this year held in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Children's Festival bringing children's content from across the world to young audiences in Zanzibar. In addition to this, by weaving together a tapestry of female centred narrative the women's Panorama will showcase the best of female directors from across the globe, ensuring that there is space.
The Festival this year will take place between 6th -11th July 2019 in venue across Stone Town
Media contact; For further information, screeners, press tickets, hi-res images and interviews please contact : ziff@ziff.or.tz
Click on this like to see the full ZIFF 2019 Programme :
ZIFF 2019 PROGRAMME
