Bongo Movie stars will congregate in Zanzibar at a red carpet event organised by the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF). The likes of Lulu Michael, JB, Wema Sepetu, Irene Uwoya, Vincent Kigosi (Ray), Mzee Majuto, Cloud, Makombora, Mzee Mvita, and many more are expected to be invited to the event where the best actors and films will win awards.
ZIFF has announced the 2014 Edition of Mini ZIFF is to be held at the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) in Zanzibar between 10 and 12th January 2014. The mini festival will be held alongside the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Zanzibar revolution.
The Annual Mini ZIFF is a curtain raiser to the ZIFF main festival, which will be held in 14th -22nd June 2014. The main ZIFF event is funded by ZUKU through a ten-year sponsorship.
Swahili language films, better known as Bongo Movies, will be nominated and two of those will get automatic selection to the main ZIFF competition. Categories to be awarded includes Best Actor and Best Actress, Best Director, Best Feature Film, Best Upcoming Actor/Actress, Company that has helped the film industry to grow furthest in Tanzania, Best Film Sound, Best Story/Script, Best Ambassador of Tanzanian Film Industry and Lifetime Achievement Award. These awards will be only for the films that have been released in 2013.
As is tradition with the Festival of the Dhow Countries there will also be a music component showcasing local talents on the last day after the awards at Old Fort Amphitheatre. The award ceremony will be on Sunday 12th January to coincide with the midnight celebrations marking the 50th Anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution.
Watch the ZIFF website at www.ziff.or.tz for more information about the timing of the events.