East Africa’s premier film festival returns to Stone Town, bringing together filmmakers from across Africa, the diaspora, and the Indian Ocean region.
Stone Town, Zanzibar (Running Africa) — The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) has returned to Stone Town from June 24 to 28, bringing together filmmakers, actors, producers, and creative industry leaders for the 29th edition of one of Africa’s premier film and cultural festivals.
Established in 1997, ZIFF has grown into East Africa’s largest celebration of cinema and the arts, providing a global platform for stories from Africa, the African diaspora, and the wider “Dhow Countries” region, which spans the Middle East, South Asia, and nations bordering the Indian Ocean.
This year’s festival is centered on the theme “AI and the Art of Storytelling,” exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming filmmaking while preserving the creativity, cultural identity, and human perspectives that define compelling storytelling.
The five-day program features film screenings, industry panels, masterclasses, workshops, and networking events designed to foster collaboration among emerging and established filmmakers. Audiences will also experience a diverse lineup of feature films, documentaries, short films, and animated productions from across Africa and the international film community.
One of the festival’s biggest attractions remains the prestigious ZIFF Golden Dhow Awards, which recognize excellence in African and international filmmaking. Awards will be presented across several categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Documentary, Best East African Film, Best Tanzanian Film, Best Short Film, and Best Animation Film.
The festival will also celebrate outstanding contributions to cinema and culture by presenting the Chairman’s Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring individuals whose work has shaped the African film industry.
As Africa’s creative economy continues to expand, the Zanzibar International Film Festival remains a vital platform for showcasing diverse voices, promoting cultural exchange, and positioning African storytelling on the global stage.
