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.

1. ZANZIBAR INTERNATIONAL FILM
FESTIVAL

2. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 competition
2. Film workshops

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.