Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF)
July, 11th to 18th 1998.
SUMMARY:
One of the most important cultural events happening in East Africa in 1998
is undoubtedly the Zanzibar International Film Festival [ZIFF]. The theme
for the film festival is the Dhow, an ancient sea-going vessel which for
centuries has been bringing together in trade, commercial and cultural
exchange the peoples of Africa, Gulf Countries, Iran, Pakistan, India, Sri
Lanka and the islands of the Indian Ocean. Today, despite the advances in
shipping technology, the dhow is still plying all over the region, and it
remains the principal means of communication and a unifying symbol. In
Zanzibar the dhow has brought the peoples and their cultures into a vibrant
mosaic of rich and diverse influences that is Swahili culture. It is
African. It is Arabian. It is Indian. It is Persian. It is all of these, but
none of these. Always alluring, but always out of reach, Zanzibar is a
magical cinematic paradise. The festival will, therefore, provide it's
audience a unique opportunity to rediscover the origins of "Swahili" as
portrayed through the cinemas of these Dhow Countries.
The Programme
ZIFF provides the inhabitants of Tanzania and East Africa a rare platform to
watch cinematographies related to their cultural background; for the
international audience, it will be an opportunity to look into the cultures
of the countries around Africa and the Indian Ocean, as projected by the
excellence of the film art. At the time of going to print, film submissions
were pouring in from North Africa, Southern Africa, India, Iran and many
other countries. ZIFF organisers are very proud to be presenting several
world premieres, including the film Maangamizi, shot on 35mm on location in
Tanzania, co-directed by Martin Mhando, a Tanzanian lecturer in film and
television at Flinders University in South Australia and American Ron
Mulvihill.
* The Venue
ZIFF will be centered in the historic Stone Town of
Zanzibar with
events
taking place in the House of Wonders, Palace Museum,
Victoria
Gardens
and the Old Fortress. Festival-goers will step out
of the magic of
the
movies into the wonders of Zanzibar. Its rich past
is embodied in
the
unique narrow lanes of Stone Town, the grand peeling
palaces of the
Sultan's era and the remains of the slave trade. Its
cultural
diversity
is expressed in crafts, dance, drama, music and
Swahili cuisine.
Breathtaking palm-fringed beaches, exotic coral
reefs, atmospheric
spice
plantations and rain forests frame the scene. There
will also be an
array of different panoramas , including a mobile
screenings service
to
26 villages in the islands of Unguja and Pemba.
* The Competition:
The Festival will comprise the following competitive categories:
* The Golden Dhow Competition for new features produced by directors
of the Dhow Countries; i.e. Africa, India, Pakistan, the Gulf Countries and
the Indian Ocean Archipelago.
* The Silver Dhow Competition for short features produced by directors
of the Dhow Countries.
* The Golden Coconut Competition for documentaries produced by
directors of the Dhow Countries.
* The Non-Competition:
Panoramas of a variety of sorts will be screened during the
festival.
These include:
* The Sheherezade International Panorama for films exploring "illusion
and reality". Many tales of the 1001 Arabian Nights were set in
Zanzibar, and the island has an aura of mystique as
a place
of magic and
sorcery. Nothing is what it seems - neither in Zanzibar nor in
cinema.
Films playing with illusion and reality will thus
reflect
the very soul
of Zanzibar.
* Village Panoramas: Feature films, short films, videos or animations
of extraordinary merit highlighting the urgent concerns of
Africa and other
Dhow Countries trying to manage their natural
environment
will be
presented in a special venues and in about 26
villages of
Unguja and
Pemba islands. Many films have been produced
throughout
Africa
highlighting local problems but as yet there is no
sustainable forum to
enable people see these films.
* Women and Children Rights Panoramas will be screened in special
surroundings. These will be films made throughout Africa and other Dhow
Countries showing some of the main problems facing
women and
children
today, with emphasis on rights and health. This
section will
give
prominence to films by women filmmakers from the
region.
* Children and Youth Panorama: Much of the current children's market
is of inferior quality, violent and culturally inappropriate.
ZIFF will
cooperate with relevant insitutions like UNICEF, to
provide
a framework
for children to view higher quality films.
* Other Panoramas and Retrospectives: This segment will give audiences
that special opportunity to view some of the best films that have been
produced over the years from the rest of the region. These films are also
meant to win more African audiences for regional filmmakers to strive to
make better films.
Special Focus.
* Intellectual Property Rights (Copyright) Workshop:
The festival will host a forum and workshop to
highlight the
concerns of
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and the
importance of
enforcement of
the International Copyright Laws. Artists the world
over
suffer from the
theft of their works, but in the Dhow Countries,
this loss
is most
severe. Governments and institutions throughout the
region
must be made
aware of the depth of their loss, and ZIFF hopes
that the
forum will
play a major role in influencing policymakers to
safeguard
the creative
output of filmmakers and artists in the region.
* Children's Animations Workshop:
ZIFF will also feature a workshop on children's animation
videos.
Children will be invited and guided through, by experts, to
design
and
make their own animated videos.These animations will thus be
given a special venue at ZIFF.
For more information contact:
ZIFF Coordinator, P O Box 3032, Zanzibar, Tanzania. Tel: 255 54 33408 Fax:
255 54 33406/33135, E-mail ziff@zanzibar.org <mailto:ziff@zanzibar.org>
<mailto:ziff@zanzibar.org <mailto:ziff@zanzibar.org> > or visit our website
at www.zanzibar.org/ziff <http://www.zanzibar.org/ziff>
<http://www.zanzibar.org/ziff <http://www.zanzibar.org/ziff> > .
In-Reply-To: 199805181437.HAA21618@abraham.xc.org