Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) 2025

Event Overview

## Festival Overview

The Zanzibar International Film Festival is an esteemed annual event showcasing films from diverse regions, promoting cultural exchange and celebrating the vibrant art of filmmaking. Established in 1997, ZIFF continues to inspire and unite global audiences through the magic of cinema.

**28th Season Dates:** 25th – 29th June, 2025

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## Call for Submissions

ZIFF management invites film professionals worldwide to submit applications during the open submission period.

### **Submission Timeline**

- **Open:** 10th March, 2025

- **Deadline:** 10th April, 2025 (with final Submission Deadline: 25th April, 2025)

### **Eligible Regions & Categories**

ZIFF is accepting applications for:

1. **All African films** (including African Diaspora)

2. **Films from the Dhow Countries' Region:**

  - South East Asia

  - Arabian Peninsula

  - Persian Gulf

  - Iran, Pakistan, India

  - Indian Ocean Islands

### **Special Focus 2025**

This year, ZIFF extends special interest to **Tv Drama Series from East African Countries:**

- **Countries:** Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia & Republic of the Congo

- **Episode Length:** 25 to 60 minutes per episode

### **Film Requirements**

- **Production Year:** Films must have been produced after 2024

- **Completion Deadline:** Films must be completed no later than 5th May, 2025

- **Theme Preference:** Films depicting **"Where Hope Takes Root"** will be prioritized

- **Content Priority:** Films reflecting global cultural interaction, cultural encounters, or sociocultural commentary

- **Works-in-Progress:** Only accepted after prior agreement with ZIFF management

*Note: ZIFF reserves the right to accept films of specific interest to the festival and to invite films for screening.*

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## Awards & Prizes

### **Dhow Awards (Selected by ZIFF Jury)**

- Best Feature Film

- Best Documentary

- Emerson Award for the Best Zanzibar Film

- Best Short Film

- Best Animation

- Best East African Film

- Best Actor (East Africa)

- Best Actress (East Africa)

- Best Actor (Tanzania)

- Best Actress (Tanzania)

### **ZIFF Board Awards**

- Chairperson’s Award

- Lifetime Achievement / Honorary Award

### **People's Choice Awards**

- Best Tv Drama Series

- Best Actor (Tv Drama Series)

- Best Actress (Tv Drama Series)

*Other Special Awards will be determined by Festival management.*

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## Rules & Terms

### **Competition Eligibility**

- **Main Competition (Golden & Silver Dhow):** Exclusively for filmmakers from Dhow countries, including:

 - Countries of the Indian Ocean Rim and Islands

 - Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and India

 - All African countries

### **Competition Categories**

The following awards are part of the main competition:

- Best Feature Film

- Best Documentary

- Emerson Award for the Best Zanzibar Film

- Best Short Film

- Best Animation

- Best East African Film

- Best Actor (East Africa)

- Best Actress (East Africa)

- Best Actor (Tanzania)

- Best Actress (Tanzania)

### **Additional Competition Sections**

- **People's Choice Award:** Reserved for Tv Drama Series from East African Countries (as specified above)

- **Films Out of Competition:** Open to all films, including festival screening partnerships

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## Submission Details

### **Submission Fees**

- **East African Countries:** Free submission (Request special waiver code)

- **Outside East Africa:** $10 per submission

### **Required Submission Materials**

Complete submissions must include:

1. **Press Kit** containing:

  - Technical and artistic data

  - Synopsis in English

  - Photographs, posters, and press articles

2. **Bio-data of the Director**

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*Join us in celebrating cinematic excellence and cultural diversity at ZIFF 2025!*