ZANZIBAR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Zanzibar International Film Festival

• The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is one of East Africa's largest cultural events and usually takes place each year in July. ZIFF present an exciting and varied program of International films and videos, music, dance, drama and art exhibitions. Also known as Festival of the Dhow Countries.

• In 2007, ZIFF celebrated 10 anniversary. Film are shown in Stone Town in Zanzibar as well as in rural villages.

ZIFF organizers• ZIFF is a non-governmental organization

established in 1997 to develop and promote film and other cultural industries as catalyst for the regional social and economic growth. The annual multi disciplinary arts and cultural festival is ZIFF’s major activity; the festival is an all-arts affair, with 8 days of local and international discussion panels, workshops, 10 days of screenings of the best local and international cinema and evenings of musical concerts including a Gala each evening.

Cont’ ZIFF• All festival programs are a culmination of the

realization of the capacity of film to fuse together the best of each art-form, offering a wide range of Entertainment, Educating and Networking options for world audiences. The festival is arguably the largest multi disciplinary art and cultural festival in Africa, and continues to lead as a tourist attraction event in the region. ZIFF now gives 12 International Awards presented by 5 International Juries.

Potentiality of ZIFF to Tourism• It is estimated that 7000 western tourists came to

Zanzibar to attend the festival and the total festival audience was in excess of 100,000 with wide appeal across race, class and religions. It’s impact on the economy of Zanzibar is unquestionable.

• Animation of static attraction and facilities• Catalytic of Tourism development• Image maker of Zanzibar

• ZIFF festival now runs 15 programs over the 10 days including:-1. Film competition2. Film workshops

3. Opening and Closing Nights 4. Film Outreach Projections 5. Women panorama 6. Children Panorama 7. Village Panorama 8. Festival of Festivals 9. Soko Filam 10. Art and Exhibition 11. Children Film Panorama 12. UNICEF Life Skills Camps 13. Children Peace camps 14. Difficult Dialogues 15. Historical and Cultural Village Tour

Cont’ ZIFF• ZIFF attracting larger and larger crowds search

each year and gaining internationals prominence, giving a platform for artwork from across the Dhow Countries of Tanzania, India and Oman etc.

• ZIFF brings new talents together from all over the world and gives a unique opportunity to preserve and promote understanding of culture from across the Dhow Countries.

ZIFF - Films

• Each year, some of the most captivating and cutting edge cinema from Africa and beyond is screened in venues across the island. From world-premiers to local shorts, we've got it all, with a long history of showcasing the highest quality film from all over the world. Films are submitted based on a yearly theme and entered into various categories and competitions. The final night is an awards night, where the winning films are recognised and celebrated.

Cont’

ZIFF 2009 present four feature films directed by African women directors (from Zambia, Uganda, Sudan and South Africa). In total, 24 African directors.

ZIFF - Music

•  ZIFF also puts on the island’s best parties. Live music, dance, DJs and performance across several venues means that carnival fever hits Zanzibar for 2 weeks! They bring musicians together from all over Africa, as well as recognised international actors.

ZIFF• Stone Town the Festival’s venue in Zanzibar, is a

UNESCO World Heritage Site based on the fact that it is a “fine example of the Swahili coastal trading towns of East Africa.

• Is one of the most unique festival in the world• ZIFF’s major outdoor performances take place in

the city’s Old Fort, featuring an ancient amphitheatre; others occur in the House of Wonders and Zanzibar’s Museum of History and Culture. There will also be street performances, including story telling, live music and dance, art exhibits, and a range of film and video industry workshops, seminars, screenings, and social events.

Recommendation • The event each year increases the number of

visitors and thus gain popularity around the world.

• The event has number of weaknesses and thus it is not effectively utilized to develop tourism sector.

• The arena which is currently used by the Festival is not in a good condition especially for high class tourists.