Zuku Awards Talent At ZIFF 2015

Swahili daykicked off on Friday, 24th July, with Swahili films being screened at different venues around Stonetown. Zuku held forums on Bongo movies which was attended by producers, actors and distributors followed by a networking session at the Zuku lounge. Later in the evening, the Zuku Bongo movie awards ceremony took place and the winners were announced.

The screenings on the day included the Premiere of the movie“Shadow Fighters” - a highly emotive 30min Tanzanian documentary which boasts a riveting display of the struggles of others. It’s a personal documentary portraying the life of albinos in Tanzania, where we follow the lives of two fascinating main characters: Mashaka, a teacher in his early 30s in Mwanza and Abdul, an 11-year-old boy in Dar Es Salaam.

On the same day a Kenyan movie Nightrunners was also screened. Nightrunners starring Mandy Nicholson, a thriller set on a remote Kenyan island and based on the true legend of the area. It is the Nightrunners who prowl the village and the reason that the villagers don't go out in the darkness. Two of Zuku’s commissioned movies from Tanzanian - Bahati (70min) and GitaaLangu (80min)were also screened at the festival.

South African films ‘Sarafina’, (LeletiKhumalo) is a young black South African struggling for freedom during apartheid and ‘Yesterday’, (LeletiKhumalo), a kind-hearted South African village woman who brings hope and happiness to her poverty-stricken family, is horrified to find out that she has AIDS – were part of the day’s screenings. LeletiKhumalo was a guest of honour at this year’s Zanzibar Film Festival.

Although having mentioned only 4 films with brief synopsis, it is mandatory that the judges screen all movies submitted to the film festival.“Our mission includes connecting filmmakers with the industry so we are grateful to our jurists for lending their time and expertise,” said Mandy Roger - Zuku Tv Director. “Congratulations to all the winners!”

Full List of Zuku Bong Movie Awards
1. People’s Choice Award – MR. KADAMANJA

2. Best Film in Sound – SAMAKI MCHANGANI

3. Best Cinematography – DADDY’S WEDDING

4. Best Actress – JOKATE MWEGELO in MikonoSalama

5. Best Actor – ADAM KUAMBIANA in Mr.Kadamanja

6. Best Director – STEVEN AANO OLOBO in Daddy’s wedding

7. Best Feature Film – KUTAKAPOKUCHA
ZUKU CONGRATULATES ALL THE WINNERS AT THE ZIFF 2015 CLOSING CEREMONY

After a week of showing stirring, sleek and thought-provoking movies, the Zanzibar International Film Festival 2015 headlined by ZUKU TV ended Sunday, 26^th July in Stonetown, Zanzibar - with the screening of films submitted from across the globe and an awards night to declare the winner of its coveted ZIFF 2015. The festival hosted platforms that offered selected filmmakers the opportunity to hone their creative and business skills through workshops and one-on-one mentorship with world class specialists.

70 films were selected both in competition and non-competition categories. The non-competition category gives the opportunity to highlight excellent films coming from film directors from outside the Dhow countries celebrating the theme ‘Waves and Visions of Hope’.

Out of 70 films, 50 films were selected for competition. Some films are sourced directly from individuals principally through networks and the word of mouth from people who have been to ZIFF. 10 films are especially sourced and selected from the submitted entries for showing in the Old Fort. These are films that we believe will have the greatest impact and impression on the audiences.

In her closing speech, Zuku Tv Director, Mandy Roger said “Film is considered to be an important art form, a source of popular entertainment and a powerful method for not only educating but also indoctrinating the society, and Zanzibar as priceless jewel of East Africa has a vibrant culture and rich history to share”.A number of Special Awards were also given across categories. Herewith the winners of awards in all categories of Ziff 2015

ZIFF 2015 AWARDS
Bi Kidude Award (Chairman’s Award)
PRICE OF LOVE – Dir: Hermon Hailay (Ethiopia)

Special Jury Prize
EVERY DAY IS A SMALL LIFE – Dir: AlbaneFioretti (France)

Best Documentary
PAPA MACHETE – Dir: Jonathan David Kane (USA)

Best Short/Animation
SOKO SONKO (THE MARKET KING) – Dir: EkwaMsangi (Usa/Tanzania)

Best East African Film Talent
STRENGTH OF A WOMAN – Dir: Gilbert Lukalia (Kenya)

Silver Dhow Award – Best Feature Film (Runner Up)

SIMSHAR –Dir: Rebecca Cremona (Malta)
Golden Dhow Award – Best Feature Film
WAZI? FM – Dir: FarasCavallo (Kenya)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Bi. FatmaAlloo
Hassan Mitawi
SEMBENE OUSMANE AWARDS
Special Mention
UTHANDU
Dir: TulananaBohela (Tanzania/South Africa)
LIBERTÉ EMPRISONNÉE’
Dir: Sarah Mikayil (Morocco)
Sembene Ousmane Awards (2000 $ each)
HOUKAK – Dir: YounèsYousfi (Morocco)

KWAKU – Dir: Anthony N’ti (Ghana)
SOKO SONKO – Dir: EkwaMsangi (Tanzania / Kenya)

EUROPEAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL AWARD
Best African Film
WAZI? FM
Dir: FarasCavallo
(Kenya)
SIGNIS AWARDS
East African Talent Award
WAZI? FM
Dir: FarasCavallo
(Kenya)
SIGNIS AWARD
Life is Waiting: Referendum and Resistance in Western Sahara

Dir :Iara Lee
Western Sahara/ Usa
EAFN Award
Best East African Film (Feature)
GOING BONGO – Dir: Dean Matthew Ronalds

Best East African Film (Documentary)
SHADOW FIGHTERS – Dir: JosefineHeimburger

Best East African Film (Short)
ANGLES OF MY FACE – Dir: Manu Maina
__________________________________________________________________ / ENDS

About ZIFF
The Zanzibar International Film Festival is the longest running film-festival in East Africa, with global credibility and instant Pan-African recognition. ZIFF is sponsored by ZUKU through a 10 year contract that runs through 2021. The ZIFF Festival of the Dhow Countries mission is to promote and showcase the culture of the Dhow Countries. Every cent raised from sponsors and donors ensures the widest possible accessibility of high-quality international screenings and cultural events to all sections of the Tanzanian population.

For more information visit www.ziff.or.tz
About ZUKU
Zuku is a homegrown East African brand under Wananchi Group, established with the aim of making quality home entertainment and communication services accessible to rapidly growing, choice conscious African middle class. Zuku TV services have been successfully launched in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi and most recently Zambia with aggressive plans to roll out to more countries in the near future.

For more information visit www.zuku.co.ke