This year, we are not just celebrating films; we are commemorating the second year of the Sauti Zetu Film Festival. This festival serves as a platform to celebrate, advocate for, and recognise films made from a human rights perspective. Such a platform not only contributes to enhancing community understanding of various human rights agendas but also fosters the growth of the local film industry.
The Sauti Zetu Film Festival, translated as "Our Voices" in English, is an annual cinematic event organised and hosted by Media for Development and Advocacy (MEDEA Tanzania). The festival aims to promote filmmaking from a human rights standpoint across Eastern and Southern Africa. This year's festival is scheduled to take place over three (3) days, from October 12th to 14th, in Dar es Salaam and the Coastal region of Tanzania, showcasing films from Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa.
The Sauti Zetu Film Festival incorporates both Discourse-Driven and Deliberative styles. Through dialogue-driven programming, the focus is on showcasing films that provoke thought and spark conversations among the audience. Following the screenings, panel discussions are organised to allow attendees to share their thoughts and perspectives on the film's themes. On the deliberative side, the event is tailored for an audience interested in human rights. The aim is to encourage the target audience to recognise human rights as the normative legal and political framework for society.
Building on the lessons learned from our inaugural edition in 2023, we have seen that film festivals, particularly those focused on art and cinema like ours, provide valuable forums for discussions among citizens and decision-makers. These spaces have shown to be instrumental in directly engaging leaders with citizens' concerns during the dialogues. Films and conversations centred on human rights offer unique opportunities for individuals to exercise their right to free speech. Audiences can fill in any gaps in their understanding and seek answers regarding the topics presented in the films. Regrettably, in Tanzania we have few such spaces.
Awards
The Sauti Zetu Film Festival 2024 will once again celebrate the dedication of filmmakers by presenting five prestigious awards, including:
1. Express Yourself Award: This award will recognise the film that most profoundly delves into the theme of freedom of expression, underscoring its significance and tackling the obstacles and prospects it presents.
2. Youth Power Award: This award seeks to acknowledge a film that adeptly examines the role of youth in governance and policy-making processes, highlighting their capacity to drive positive change and participate in decision-making.
3.Equality Unleashed Award: This award will recognize a film that tackles gender equality issues, advocating for equal access to social and political opportunities for all. It aims to acknowledge initiatives that challenge stereotypes, foster inclusivity, and empower women, girls, and marginalised communities.
5. People's Choice Award: This award will be decided by the audience, giving festival participants the opportunity to vote for their preferred film. It aims to honour the film that connects best with viewers, sparking meaningful discussions on human rights and societal matters.
5. Sauti Zetu Tribute: This award seeks to celebrate and recognise the valuable contributions of individuals or organisations to the advancement of the film industry in Tanzania.
These awards will not only commend exceptional films but also raise awareness and encourage discussions on human rights, freedom of expression, youth engagement in governance, gender equality, and civic space issues.
