Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF)

Overview

The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), also known as the Festival of the Dhow Countries, is East Africa's largest film festival. The 29th edition runs June 24 to 28, 2026, on the island of Zanzibar, Tanzania. The festival screens films from the Dhow Countries region, which includes East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Persian Gulf, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and the Indian Ocean Islands, alongside international films.

ZIFF draws over 100,000 attendees across its five-day run, making it one of the most-attended film events on the African continent. Screenings take place in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Arab, Indian, and Swahili architectural heritage, including open-air venues in the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) and other historic locations.

The 2026 festival theme is "AI and the Art of Storytelling." Films reflecting themes of global cultural interaction, cultural encounters, or sociocultural commentary are given priority in selection.

The main competition (Golden Dhow and Silver Dhow) is restricted to filmmakers from the Dhow Countries region and all African countries. The festival also accepts films from outside this region for non-competitive screening sections.

Submission Details

Submissions are handled through FilmFreeway. Key details for the 2026 edition:

Films from outside the Dhow Countries region and Africa may be accepted if they have specific interest to the festival. ZIFF reserves the right to invite films for screening outside the competitive selection.

TV Drama Series Category

The People's Choice Award section is reserved for TV Drama Series from East African countries (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, and Republic of the Congo). Episodes must be 25 to 60 minutes in length.

Programming and Selection

ZIFF programs films across the following categories:

• Feature Fiction Competition - films from the Dhow Countries and Africa competing for the Golden Dhow
• Documentary Competition - nonfiction films from the region
• Short Film Competition - short films from East Africa and the Indian Ocean
• Animation Competition - animated films from the region
• TV Drama Series - East African drama series competing for the People's Choice Award
• Films Out of Competition - open to all films including festival screening partnerships

The 2026 festival program is structured across five themed days:

1. June 24 - Opening Day
2. June 25 - Creative Documentary Day
3. June 26 - Commercial and Industry Innovation Day
4. June 27 - The Premiere Day
5. June 28 - Shorts and Drama Marathon Day

Awards

Main Competition (Dhow Countries and African Films Only)

• Golden Dhow - Best Feature Film
• Silver Dhow
• Best Documentary
• Emerson Award - Best Zanzibar Film
• Best Short Film
• Best Animation
• Best East African Film
• Best Actor (East Africa)
• Best Actress (East Africa)
• Best Actor (Tanzania)
• Best Actress (Tanzania)

Additional Awards

• Chairperson's Award - selected by the ZIFF Board
• Lifetime Achievement / Honorary Award - selected by the ZIFF Board
• People's Choice Award - for TV Drama Series from East African countries

Festival History

ZIFF was founded in 1998 as the Festival of the Dhow Countries. The name references the dhow, a traditional sailing vessel used for centuries across the Indian Ocean, which historically connected the cultures and economies of East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean Islands. The festival was created to honor and celebrate these cultural connections through cinema.

The festival has run annually since 1998, with the 29th edition taking place in 2026. Stone Town's UNESCO World Heritage status and its historic venues, including the Old Fort, give ZIFF a screening environment that no other African festival can match. The open-air screenings in the Old Fort courtyards are the festival's signature venue.

ZIFF's focus on the Dhow Countries region gives it a unique geographic and cultural scope that bridges African, Arab, South Asian, and Indian Ocean cinema. This cross-cultural programming is not replicated by any other festival on the continent.

The Maisha Film Lab, which has operated in connection with the festival, provides hands-on filmmaking training for emerging East African directors. The lab has been a development pipeline for regional talent, with several Maisha alumni going on to screen their work at ZIFF and other African festivals.

What Filmmakers Should Know

For East African filmmakers: ZIFF is the most significant regional festival for East African cinema. The free submission for East African filmmakers (via waiver code on FilmFreeway) removes the financial barrier to entry. The Best East African Film, Best Actor (East Africa), and Best Actress (East Africa) awards provide regional competitive recognition. The Emerson Award for Best Zanzibar Film gives specific recognition to local filmmakers.

For Dhow Countries filmmakers: The main competition (Golden Dhow and Silver Dhow) is restricted to filmmakers from the Dhow Countries region and all African countries. This includes Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, the Arabian Peninsula, the Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean Islands, and all African nations. Filmmakers from these regions compete in a pool that excludes North American and European films, which changes the competitive landscape significantly.

For international filmmakers (non-Dhow Countries): Films from outside the region can be submitted but are generally programmed in the non-competitive section. The $10 submission fee is minimal. International filmmakers should understand that ZIFF's primary programming focus is the Dhow Countries and African cinema. An international film without a specific connection to the region or the festival theme is unlikely to be competitive.

For TV drama series creators: The People's Choice Award for TV Drama Series is restricted to East African productions (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, Republic of the Congo). Episodes must be 25 to 60 minutes. This is one of the few festival competitions dedicated specifically to African TV drama series, reflecting the growth of East African television production.

Logistics: Zanzibar is an island off the coast of Tanzania. International flights connect through Dar es Salaam or directly to Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. Accommodation in Stone Town ranges from $30 to $200+ per night. The festival does not appear to cover travel or accommodation for selected filmmakers, so filmmakers should budget accordingly. The experience of screening in a UNESCO World Heritage Site is unique to this festival.

Theme alignment: The 2026 theme "AI and the Art of Storytelling" means films engaging with AI, technology, and storytelling innovation will receive priority in selection. Filmmakers whose work touches on these themes should highlight this in their submission materials.

See Also

Calculate your total festival submission costs and projected return using the Festival ROI Calculator. For East African cinema, see International Film Markets. For festival strategy guidance, see Film Festival Strategy. Submit through the ZIFF FilmFreeway page or visit the official festival website. View the 2026 festival program for screening schedules and venue details.