Excitement is in the air with the ongoing Zanzibar International Film Festival, thousands of people around town are visiting locations to view the film screenings, attend workshops and be a part of the total Film and Cultural experience that ZIFF 2013 offers.
Today speaking at the ZIFF Press Conference was filmmaker Mira Nair discussing her movie “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” shown during last night’s opening ceremony. Arif and Audrey from Australia mentors of “Stop Motion Animation” a children’s workshop (dates: 1st to 3rd July 2013) cited that they are really looking forward to working with the children of Zanzibar during the workshop and look forward to an opportunity to eventually pass the knowledge onto teachers to ensure continuity of the modules explained during their workshop. Director Petrovic spoke about his workshop “Practice LED Research Conference”, also present was Danny Schechter documentary director of “Nelson Mandela – Countdown to Freedom” and “Mandela in America”.
The traditional Dhow Race of the Zanzibar International Film Festival sponsored by Com.Net (Zanzibar Connections Company Limited) was also held this afternoon at the waterfront of the Serena Inn Zanzibar where hundreds of people flocked to witness 11 teams participate in the competition, a hat trick was witnessed as the winning team, 1st and 2nd runner-ups were sponsored by Zanzibar Connections Company Limited. All team received cash prizes respectively. Running alongside were vibrant and entertaining Step Dance and Traditional Ngoma performed by Zanzibari women and children. Working with ZIFF this year is Save the Children working to promote and spread across through the ZIFF platform a very important message: Udhalilishaji Wa Watoto Sasa Basi meaning “Violence Against Children Must Stop Now”. Filmmakers, Producers, Distributors and Stakeholders of the film fraternity networked today to exchange ideas at the Zuku Lounge which is opened daily from 5 to 7pm at the Maru Maru Hotel.
Another ZIFF event that opened today was the Festival of Festivals presenting movies from different countries and institutes such as Iran, South Africa, Australia, TANAPA and ZUKU, acknowledging South Africa today’s screening was “Countdown to Freedom” a documentary on the former South African leader Nelson Mandela. Festival of Festivals will be presented every day of ZIFF 2013 from 2pm to 5pm at the Maru Maru Hotel. The Children’s Panorama which opened yesterday is expected to present film and workshops to over 2000 children from various schools in Zanzibar.