Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF)
East Africa's most celebrated film festival, held annually in July on the island of Zanzibar, presenting African and Indian Ocean world cinema in one of the Indian Ocean's most historically rich and culturally diverse island environments.
Overview
The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is East Africa's most celebrated film festival. Founded in 1997 and held annually in July on the island of Zanzibar, the festival presents African and Indian Ocean world cinema in one of the most extraordinary festival settings in the world.
Zanzibar's Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a center of Indian Ocean trade for centuries, connecting East Africa with the Arab world, India, Persia, and beyond. This extraordinary history of cultural exchange is reflected in the island's architecture, its cuisine, its music (taarab music blends African, Arabic, and Indian elements), and the festival's programming philosophy, which celebrates the diversity of the Indian Ocean cultural world.
The festival has developed particular strength in programming films from the broader Indian Ocean basin -- East Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, and the islands -- alongside mainstream African and international cinema.
Key Sections
- Golden Dhow Competition -- African films competing for the top prize
- Indian Ocean Cinema -- films from the broader Indian Ocean world
- Tanzanian Film Showcase -- new Tanzanian productions
- Documentary Program -- nonfiction features
- Short Film Competition -- African and Indian Ocean short films
- Open Air Screenings -- films screened in Stone Town's historic spaces
What Filmmakers Should Know
ZIFF accepts open submissions. For East African filmmakers, the festival is the most important regional platform. For Indian Ocean basin filmmakers (from South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and island nations), the festival provides a unique cultural context that treats the Indian Ocean as a connected cultural zone.
The outdoor screenings in Stone Town's historic dhow harbor and Old Fort create among the most visually extraordinary screening experiences available at any film festival.
Major Awards
- Golden Dhow -- Best African Film
- Best Tanzanian Film
- Audience Award
Festival History
ZIFF was founded in 1997 and has operated continuously as East Africa's most internationally recognized film event.
See Also
For East African cinema, see International Film Markets. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy.
