ZANZIBAR INTERNATIONAL FILMS

The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), also known as the Festival of the Dhow Countries, is an annual film festival held in Zanzibar, Tanzania. It's one of the largest cultural events in East Africa.

Established in 1997, ZIFF is a non-governmental organization that promotes film and other cultural industries as a catalyst for social and economic growth in the region. The festival showcases films from Africa, the Gulf States, Iran, India, Pakistan, and the islands of the Indian Ocean.

The festival is a significant cultural event in East Africa, offering a diverse program that includes local and international discussion panels, workshops, screenings of both local and international cinema, musical concerts, and galas. It is considered one of the largest multidisciplinary art and cultural festivals in Africa, attracting a wide audience across different demographics. The festival’s impact on the economy of Zanzibar is substantial, with thousands of tourists attending each year.

The festival features 15 programs over 10 days, encompassing activities such as film competitions, workshops, outreach projections, women’s panorama, children’s panorama, village panorama, art exhibitions, UNICEF life skills camps, peace camps for children, historical and cultural village tours, among others. Films are screened not only in urban areas like Stone Town but also in rural Zanzibari villages.