| Six films set for launch during ZIFF | Send to a friend |
| Monday, 12 July 2010 22:14 |
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The Zanzibar International Film Festival (Ziff) opened over the weekend amid fanfare and celebration attracting a handsome crowd at the Mji Mkongwe’s Amphitheatre. Speaking at the opening ceremony on Saturday evening, the festival director, Prof Martin Mhando, said a week-long festival would have this time around, action and celebration of film making, not only in Africa but also with special reference to Tanzania. “This year we shall have a Swahili Day, dedicated to Tanzanian film makers and actor,” he said. Prof Mhando, who had considered stepping down from the ZIFF leadership last year, added that this year’s festival would be special with six film premiers. “I find this very special since we shall be showing films that have never been seen anywhere else, and the fact that the directors have chosen this festival as their launch pad, gives me great pleasure,” he said. He named the films as Huthy Mutumba’s film, ‘My Policy’; ‘Ndoto ya Zanzibar’ by a Tanzanian Simai Mohamed from Zanzibar; Lamu’s ‘Maulidi’ from Tunisia; ‘Tuna Haki’, a beautiful and controversial documentary from the USA and ‘Nipe Jibu’, possibly the country’s first musical film. In a star studded audience, which included local film actors Vincent Kigosi aka Ray and Steven Kanumba, the director asked the audience to observe a minute’s silence in memory of Professor Haroub Othman and Yusuf Chuchu. In his opening remarks, the deputy Principal Secretary in the ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industries, Mr Joseph Abdallah Meza said Ziff is not only a symbol of the historical trade and communication activities between different cultures of the world using the Dhow, but also a symbol of the modern links between people of the world through tourism. “Tourism, which falls under our ministry is a key economic asset for this country. Ziff has a special place in our ministry due to the prestige it brings to the country,” he said when he declared the gala open. He added that the government was making increased investment in tourism in Zanzibar and in the Mainland, and festivals like Ziff were key indicators of the value that Zanzibar has as a prime tourist destination. The opening cast, ‘I Bring what I Love’, a Youssou N’dour musical documentary film, drew huge admiration from the multinational crowd that has gathered for the festival. Over 100 films are expected to be shown during the one-week gala at three different venues; the Amphitheatre, Bait El Ajaib, and Africa House. The festival will for the first time, have the children’s category and the Soca parade from Trinidad and Tobago. Other features of the festival will include Women’s panorama and a photo exhibition. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
