The Zanzibar International Film Festival is a celebration of African Cinema, one of East Africa’s biggest cultural events. It was first held in 1997. The ZIFF Festival of the Dhow Countries is organized by ZIFF, a non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in Zanzibar to promote and showcase the culture of the Dhow Countries, an activity that has led to the social and economic growth of the region.

This year, ZIFF expanded the number of films in competition. More than 65 film entries from 25 countries vied for the honor of being screened at the popular festival. The official opening ceremony took place on 21st July with a speech from the President of Zanzibar Hussein Mwinyi followed by a performance by the Kilua Dance group from Zanzibar at the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) in Stone Town. The theme for ZIFF this year was “Sharing our heritage” “urithi huu ni wetu sote”. The festival’s activities included Film competitions, Film Workshops, Dhow competition, Difficult Dialogues, Women Film Workshops, Historical and Cultural village tours among others.

Film is one of the most powerful influences on human habits and even belief systems. The media has taken the role of philosophers in society and therefore the role of the media has expanded tremendously. ZIFF has a vision to promote the making, analysis and understanding of life affirming films. In that, they have a positive impact on media practitioners generally in Africa.

A relentless advocate for gender parity, ZIFF believes it is vital that stories are told from all perspectives and that representation matters. ZIFF is committed to substantially increasing the number of working women directors in film, television, commercials and new media in Tanzania and East Africa. Foxton Media is right on track with Kara Loice Wambui as a Producer!

Foxton Media Limited participated for the first time in the international festivals after its first Military Action Film “Mission To Rescue” was nominated for “World Premiere” that took place on 24th July at The Old Fort. The event was being broadcasted live by Tanzania Red TV and Plus Radio. The closing ceremony which was coupled as the awards ceremony was held on the night of 25th July.

The Kenyan Film Productions scooped four of the top awards at the 2021 Zanzibar International Film Festival. “Mission To Rescue” a Foxton Media Production won the Best East Africa Feature Film award while Melvin Alusa (Captain Baraza) by Mission To Rescue won the Best Lead Actor award! The Film’s theme (terrorism and radicalization) was cited by the juries as not only a regional challenge, but a global challenge, and Foxton Media was congratulated for bringing out well the message in the film.