The annual Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) returns this weekend, treating filmophiles to nine days of screenings on the picturesque tropical island of Zanzibar.
“Zanzibar beckons; come one and come all,” says Prof. Martin Mhando. “Immerse yourself in the magic of cinema from around the globe. A festival is no longer just a place; it’s all about creative structure, sustainability, and contribution to the multi-colour garden of world cinema, and ZIFF is one of those structures.”
Opening this Saturday, June 24, the new edition of Ziff, popularly known as the festival of the Dhow Countries, will run for nine days until July 2, featuring a curated selection of 18 feature films, 22 feature documentaries, and 45 short films and animations.
After careful consideration, the festival’s team handpicked a diverse selection of 86 films out of 3,000 submissions.
“Tanzania submitted 64 films, but 18 films focused on identity,” added Prof. Mhando.
The festival welcomes film enthusiasts, with ‘Married to Work as its opening film, a Pan-African romantic comedy set in Zanzibar featuring actors and actresses from Tanzania, Kenya, and Nigeria.
‘Married To Work’ is about an ambitious Kenyan woman who is forced to pretend to be married to her cantankerous Tanzanian boss in order to save his company from bankruptcy.
The male lead, played by Tanzania’s Idris Sultan, and the female lead, played by Grace Wacuka and prominent Nigerian actress Meg Otanwa, are also featured in the film.
There are also two Tanzanian actors from Black Unicorn Studios, Talie Gray and Ally Baharoon, who have smaller roles in the film.
The Pan-African romcom’s script is written by Binti producer Angela Ruhinda.
Apart from celebrating diversity and experiencing the power of storytelling, film lovers will also be treated to an ACP-EU Regional Networking Event that is set to bring in over 45 participants for three days.
One of Africa’s largest film and art festivals brings new and old talents and art and film lovers from all around the globe to the spice island, including from neighbouring countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia, to far-west European countries like Russia and the United States.
Source: The Citizen
