Washindi wa Tamasha la Filamu Zenj Watajwa

Asante Kaka Beda Msimbe (Lukwengule Entertainment) kwa update:


Hotuba tu ya jaji wa ZIFF kuhusu Tamasha:


Good evening ladies and gentlemen:

As the ZIFF festival enters its eleventh year and is now a key festival in African cinema, we – my colleagues Rachel Dwyer, Flavio Florencio and I - are honoured to have been invited to serve on the ZIFF jury.

Since its inception in 1998, ZIFF has strived to reflect the cultures and traditions of the Swahili culture of East Africa, and to celebrate and explore the Dhow culture emanating from the Indian Ocean Basin. And to recognize, appreciate and most importantly, enjoy African film.

Eleven years on and we’ve been privileged to select four films out of a staggering 41 features and documentaries in competition for the coveted prizes of the Golden Dhow, the Silver Dhow, Best Short film and Best East African film.The films in competition have resonated with this year’s theme of ‘Cultural Crossroads’ and have adhered to the proud tradition, established by the founding ZIFF Jury of 1998 to ‘explore and learn from Dhow culture and its importance in global experience.’

In keeping with the history of the iconic Dhow as ‘a symbol of communication, migration and interaction’, many of the films have explored the contestations that arise from migration.Issues that continue to bedevil Africans on the continent and the diaspora, such as indigenous land-rights, identity, genocide and ethnic cleansing, the exploitation of child soldiers and blood diamonds, have been explored from many angles and in different ways.

While films from the Indian Ocean basin have turned the spotlight on the thorny issues of untouchability and religious fundamentalism.

We were delighted with the number of East African productions and the inclusion of Bongowood films such as Bongoland 2, Mwanaihti and The Trip, all from Tanzania.Films from Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, the Congo, the Sudan, Liberia, Zambia, Egypt, Uganda, Ghana, Chad and Morocco, speak to the growth of the African cinematic canon.

The canon has not only expanded, but African filmmakers are clearly seizing the opportunity to tell their stories, from their perspectives, in ways that are nuanced, textured, beautiful to look at, and most importantly: cinematically exciting and entertaining.

In conclusion, and before announcing the final winners, the ZIFF Jury 2008 would like to make special mention of three films, which left a lasting impression on us:

Awaiting for Men, from Senegal, director Katy Ndiaye, for its sensitive and transgressive portrayal of women.

We are Watching You from Egypt, directors Sherief Elkatsha & Leila Menjou, for its powerful portrayal of three brave women and their determination to keep their government’s feet to the fire in the pursuit of democracy.

The Iron bone from Morocco, director Hisham Lasri for its beautiful cinematography and contemporary exploration of youthful (if misguided) urban camaraderie.And now, without further delay, the winners are:

Golden Dhow for Best Feature: Ezra (2007, Dir: Newton I Aduaka, Nigeria)

Silver Dhow for Best Documentary: India Untouched (2007, Dir: Stalin K, India)

Best Short/Animation film: Subira (2007, Dir Ravneet Chadha, Kenya)

Best East African film: African Lens (2008, Dir: Shravan Vidyarthi,Kenya)

Special Juror’s Choice: Laya Project (2006, Dir: Harold Monfils, India)for the most relevant to the themeof the Dhow countries

Gail SmithChairperson ZIFF Jury 2008

In the picture Ms Gail Smith reading her speech