FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

     4 October 2018

The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is East Africa’s largest film and arts festival, exhibiting the latest and best films and promoting film talents from across the African continent and beyond.
For its 22nd edition the festival is delighted to announce the new heads of ZIFF, influential South African film duo Faith Isiakpere the new CEO, and Firdoze Bulbulia, the Festival Director.
They will lead the festival’s extensive programme of work across film, performance, music, workshops and children’s events, as well as the large-scale outdoor films in the amphitheatre at the Old Fort for which the festival is renowned. The pair will also add and develop new elements, curating innovative pop-up events and providing training in media literacy, film curation and filmmaking within Tanzania, ensuring that the festival continues to act as a flagship arts organisation for East Africa.
Under their curatorial vision ZIFF will celebrate Pan-African ideals within the creative industries with a focus on film, arts, culture and heritage. This will be reflected in the South African phrase of Ubuntu - I am because you are - and the interconnectedness of the pasts and futures of the African continent and the diasporas. Alongside this focus on African and Black cinema the programme will also showcase filmmaking styles from across the world, providing a space for learning and exchange through film under the motto ‘each one, teach one’.
Both bring a wealth of experience to the festival and have worked in many aspects of the film industry including producing and directing films, teaching and lecturing in film and media, organising festivals and working to promote children’s media across the continent and beyond. They have a long-standing relationship with ZIFF and have been attending the festival for the last 20 years, serving on juries, curating events and supporting the organisation.

‘We find ourselves returning to ZIFF from our first visit in 1999 when we hosted a workshop on the African Charter on Children’s Broadcasting to filming with a young Zanzibari girl, for the “African Pen Pals” series we fell in love with this beautiful island, its people, its histories, and its culture. Zanzibar and the festival are embedded deep in our hearts and we are so excited to take on this new challenge. We hope to propel the festival into its next era enabling a convergence of imaginative thinkers from across the globe to share their stories, whilst also learning from East African narratives. We want ZIFF to act as a hub of cultural exchange for the betterment of filmmaking everywhere’, states Festival Director, Firdoze Bulbulia.
They will drive a new artistic vision for the festival, bringing high quality international productions, media partners, children’s content, and film training, whilst still maintaining the focus and priority of showcasing and supporting African cinema.
The next edition of ZIFF will take place between 6-14 July 2019 and will comprise of a range of film screenings and complementary events across Zanzibar island.
Media Contact: For further information, screeners, press tickets, hi-res images and interviews please contact: www.ziff2019.org
Notes: Firdoze Bulbulia and Faith Isiakpere are Co-Directors of Moments Entertainment. Bulbulia is a director, producer, writer and educator. She has worked in many development programmes, particularly for child rights, and was involved in the establishment of the South African Charter on Children’s Rights as well as The Africa Charter on Children’s Broadcasting that has been adopted by all African & Commonwealth Broadcasters. She is the chairperson of The Children & Broadcasting Foundation (CBFA) and Former President of CIFEJ (www.cifej.com) where she served two mandates. She continues to train producers, broadcasters and media professionals and is a sought-after speaker, presenter and participant at global media events. Isiakpere has worked internationally for many broadcasters including Thames TV, Channel 4, Central TV, and as a Senior Producer for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). He is a Life Member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and has produced and directed many feature films, documentaries, dramas, and music videos. He has worked with amongst others President Mandela, Stevie Wonder, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba. He is a highly respected filmmaker, producer and seasoned broadcaster. Together they have produced award winning films and documentaries and set-up ABC (Africa’s Best Channel) in Nigeria and are currently working on Mandela's Africa.

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