The Zanzibar International Film Festival is an esteemed annual event showcasing films from diverse regions, promoting cultural exchange and celebrating the vibrant art of filmmaking. Established in 1997, ZIFF continues to inspire and unite global audiences through the magic of cinema.

The 28th Season of Zanzibar International Film Festival is set to take place from 25th to 29th June, 2025.

ZIFF management would like to inform film professionals worldwide that the festival is currently accepting applications for all African films (including African Diaspora) and films from the Dhow Countries’ region- South East Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, The Persian Gulf, Iran, Pakistan, India and the Indian Ocean Islands from 10th March, 2025 till 10th April, 2025. Films must be have been produced after 2024. ZIFF reserves the right to accept any films with a specific interest to the festival.

This year again ZIFF management extend special interest to Tv Drama Series from East African Countries (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia & Republic of the Congo) The Tv Drama series should be between 25 to 60 minutes in length per episode.

Films might preferably depict the Festival theme; Where Hopes Takes Root. Films reflecting the theme of global cultural interaction, cultural encounters or sociocultural commentary will be given priority. Films must have been completed no later than May 05th, 2025. We will accept submissions of works in progress only after agreement with ZIFF management. The Submission Deadline is 25th April 2025. The festival reserves the right to also invite films for screening at ZIFF.

Awards & Prizes

The ZIFF Jury will offer the Dhow Awards in the following Categories:
- Best Feature film
- Best Documentary
- Emerson Award for the Best Zanzibar Film
- Best Short Film
- Best Animation
- Best East African Film
- Best Actor (East Africa)
- Best Actress (East Africa)
- Best Actor (Tanzania)
- Best Actress (Tanzania)

The ZIFF Board will offer the following Awards:

- Chairperson’s Award
- Life time Achievement/Honorary Award

The People's Choice Award will comprise:
- Best Tv Drama Series
- Best Actor (Tv Drama Series)
- Best Actress (Tv Drama Series)

- Other Special Awards will be agreed by the Festival management.

Rules & Terms

The main competition (the Golden Dhow and Silver Dhow) is only for filmmakers from the Dhow countries. These include Countries of the Indian Ocean Rim and Indian Ocean Islands, including Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan and India; All African countries.
ZIFF competition categories are:Best Feature film, Best Documentary, Emerson Award for the Best Zanzibar Film, Best Short Film, Best Animation, Best East African Film, The Best Actor (East Africa), Best Actress (East Africa), Best Actor (Tanzania), Best Actress (Tanzania). The ZIFF Board will offer the following Awards: Chairperson’s Award and Lifetime Achievement/Honorary Award. Other competitions are open to the specified categories of entries and includes the following sections:
• The People's Choice Award : This section is reserved for Tv Drama Series from East African Countries (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia & Republic of the Congo) The Tv Drama series should be between 25 to 60 minutes in length per episode.
• Films Out of Competition: This section is open to all films including festival screening partnerships.

Submission fee: Free submission from East African countries (Request for the special waiver code)
: $10 for film from out side East African countries

Complete submission should include following information:
Press kit including technical and artistic data, synopsis in English, photographs, posters, press articles, etc. Bio-data of the director