ZIFF paints a brighter future as it closes

After 10 days of movies and musical performances at the Ngome Kongwe, curtains finally rolled down on the 18th edition of the Zanzibar International Film Festival.

With over 90 films on show the ‘Waves and Visions of Hope’ edition came to a conclusion with the award gala night as the cream of both local and international film makers were crowned.

The closing ceremony included a performance from Barnanba as well as speeches from Mr Leonce Ngabo, of the East African Film Network, Zuku’s Richard Bell, Mahmoud Kombo, and festival director Martin Mhando.

The ever increasing number of people is perhaps testimony to the growing popularity of the festival.

The live performances often brought larger crowds to the amphitheatre with musicians such as TID, Bushoke and Yamoto Band becoming a crowd puller.

Organisers say through the live performances at the festival get a unique platform to entertain people with music.

Speaking to The Beat, the festival’s CEO Martin Mhando, says as part of culture there is no way you can take away music from film.

Through the live performances, the musicians had exposed film screenings to a very a larger audience who would wait for the screenings end for them to watch the gigs.

“African films have stood out for their increased production value as well as innovative story telling. We at ZIFF have been thrilled to present such a varied and wonderful range of films this year,” says Mhando.

He adds: In addition to that, ZIFF is happy that through the list of musicians who performed at the festival we have managed to engage a very big number of people.

According to Mhando unlike in the past local film makers had made giant strides which were highlighted by the number of awards that they received.

“The level of films this year surpassed our wildest expectations and many members of the jury have remarked on the quality of the films. African films in particular have stood out for their increased production value as well as innovative story telling. We at ZIFF have been thrilled to present such a varied and wonderful range of films this year,” he says

The awards which are sponsored by Zuku, a pay TV provider included categories such as People’s Choice Award, Best Film (sound), Best Cinematography, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Feature Film.

The People’s Choice Award went to ‘Kadamanja’, Sound category was scooped by Amil Shivji’s ‘Samaki Mchangani’ whereas ‘Daddy’s Wedding’ went home with both Best Director and Cinematography awards.

Jokate Mwegelo for the second time took home Best actress award for her efforts in ‘Mikono Salama’ whereas Adam Kuambiana was declared Best actor.

Crowning off the wins was the Best East African Film which was won by ‘Going Bongo’ directed by Dean Matthew Ronalds. Other winners were Tulanana Bohela in the Ousmane Sembene Awards for her film Uthando.

Film maker William Mtitu has a feeling that the time is right for local film makers to take on bigger challenges in terms of production.

According to him, ZIFF provides a great platform for film makers to network and therefore a bridge for future opportunities.

“I have seen a lot of new experiences in the movies I have watched here. I am looking forward to doing films with different film makers soon,” says Mtitu. Honeymoon Aljabri, a Tanzanian film maker who lives in the UK says the packaging of the festival was ideal in the promotion of the local film industry.

“I have seen incredible films during the nine days and I am looking forward to do different films after this experience,” says Honeymoon.

The plot of her film is an old man with six children who marries a woman who is the same age of his last born. His children think that their step-mother is an opportunist and therefore treat her with contempt.

Tulanana Bohela who got a special mention under Ousmane Sembene feels ZIFF has created an open opportunity to both local and foreign film makers.

“I worked real hard when directing ‘Uthando’ which is a story of two sisters who fall in love with the same man. I could not see this award coming. Now I believe with hard work nobody can fail,” says Bohela.

Bohela who was so excited and surprised when she was mentioned at the awards ceremony said that, she was very passionate about film making and that she sometimes makes short films using her mobile phone.

“So this special mention by Ousmane Sembene means a lot to me as I was dying inside to premier my film at such a very big event like ZIFF,” she adds.

Musicians who attended the event from outside Tanzania are Dorothy Masuka and Luanga Choba from South Africa, Paco Renteria (Mexico), Indian Dance Group (India) and Moussa Diallo (Mali, Denmark)

Tanzania was represented by Damian Soul, Cocodo Band, Msami, Zanzibar One, Baraka Da Prince, Yamoto Band, Sosoliso Kidumbak, Bi Shakira, Patricia Hilary, TID, Bushoke, Smile, Navy Kenzo, Mrisho Mpoto na Irene Sanga, Baby J, Ruby, Vanessa Mdee, Afro Jazz, Barnabas, Christian Bella, Sultan King, AT, Weusi and The Original Comedy.