Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), also known as Festival of the Dhow Countries.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME 2025

25th June, 2025: OPENING DAY

Timing Details Venue
06:00 - 07:30 AM ZIFF PARADE:
Sponsored by ZIFF
DARAJANI TO OLD FORT
02:00 - 04:00 PM WORKSHOP: SHORT FILM (48HRS PROJECT)
With Nerusha Maharaj Sadapal (South Africa)
Sponsored by Zanzibar Entertainment Foundation
HIFADHI
07:00 - 08:30 PM OPENING CEREMONY OLD FORT: AMPHITHEATER
08:30 - 10:32 PM SCREENING: OPENING FILM OLD FORT: AMPHITHEATER

26th June, 2025: BONGO MOVIE DAY

Timing Details Venue
09:00 - 11:00 AM FILM SCREENINGS MARUMARU HOTEL
09:00 - 11:00 AM WORKSHOP: SHORT FILM (48HRS PROJECT)
With Nerusha Maharaj Sadapal (South Africa)
Sponsored by Zanzibar Entertainment Foundation
HIFADHI
09:00 - 11:00 AM WORKSHOP: DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
with Charles Domingue (Canada)
Sponsored by ZIFF
OLD CUSTOM HOUSE
09:00 - 11:00 AM WORKSHOP: GET IT WRITE
with Christopher Doherty (USA)
Sponsored by ZIFF
HABARI HOUSE
09:00 - 12:30 PM CHILDREN PANORAMA
with WEZA (Zanzibar)
Sponsored by EUROPEAN UNION
HORIZON
09:00 - 11:00 AM WOMEN PANORAMA
with Women Who Impact
Sponsored by EUROPEAN UNION
EMERSON
11:15 - 13:00 PM PANEL DISCUSSION: "Strategic Digital Distribution of Content for Monetization"
Sponsored by Goethe Institut
THE BOX
14:00 - 14:45 PM PRESS CONFERENCE: Q&A WITH FILMMAKERS
Sponsored by Karafuu Cafe
KARAFUU CAFE
15:00 - 17:00 PM FILM SCREENINGS MARUMARU HOTEL
15:00 - 17:00 PM MASTER CLASS: "Believe" by JP Williams (Jamaica)
Sponsored by Embassy of Jamaica in Tanzania & ZIFF
THE BOX
07:00 - 08:00 PM MOBILE CINEMA
Sponsored by STONE TOWN MILELE
KIPONDA
07:00 - 10:30 PM FILM SCREENING OLD FORT: AMPHITHEATER & MARUMARU HOTEL
10:30 - 00:00 AM NETWORKING
Sponsored by Livingstone Restaurant
LIVINGSTONE RESTAURANT

27th June, 2025: AFRICAN PREMIERE DAY

Timing Details Venue
09:00 - 11:00 AM FILM SCREENINGS MARUMARU HOTEL
09:00 - 11:00 AM WORKSHOP: PITCHING SHORT FILM
With Ahmed Samir (Egypt)
Sponsored by ZIFF
HIFADHI
09:00 - 11:00 AM WORKSHOP: DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
Sponsored by ZIFF
OLD CUSTOM HOUSE
09:00 - 11:00 AM WORKSHOP: GET IT WRITE
with Christopher Doherty (USA)
Sponsored by ZIFF
HABARI HOUSE
09:00 - 12:30 PM CHILDREN PANORAMA
with WEZA (Zanzibar)
Sponsored by EUROPEAN UNION
HORIZON
09:00 - 11:00 AM WOMEN PANORAMA
with Women Who Impact
Sponsored by EUROPEAN UNION
EMERSON
11:15 - 13:00 PM PANEL DISCUSSION: Women in Film: Who calls the shots?
Sponsored by Goethe Institut
THE BOX
14:00 - 14:45 PM PRESS CONFERENCE: Q&A WITH FILMMAKERS
Sponsored by Karafuu Cafe
KARAFUU CAFE
15:00 - 17:00 PM FILM SCREENINGS MARUMARU HOTEL
15:00 - 17:00 PM OUTDOOR EVENTS: DHOW RACE & BEACH SOCCER
Main Sponsor AZAM MEDIA LTD
SERENA HOTEL BEACH
07:00 - 10:00 PM VILLAGE PANORAMA
Sponsored by ZIFF
MATEMWE
07:00 - 08:00 PM MOBILE CINEMA
Sponsored by STONE TOWN MILELE
KIPONDA
07:00 - 10:30 PM FILM SCREENING OLD FORT: AMPHITHEATER & MARUMARU HOTEL
10:30 - 00:00 AM NETWORKING
Sponsored by Livingstone Restaurant
LIVINGSTONE RESTAURANT

28th June, 2025: AFRICAN PREMIERE DAY

Timing Details Venue
09:00 - 11:00 AM FILM SCREENINGS MARUMARU HOTEL
09:00 - 11:00 AM WORKSHOP: GIVING US VOICE
With Prof. Elgidius Ichumbaki (UDSM)
Sponsored by BRITISH ACADEMY
THE BOX
09:00 - 11:00 AM WOMEN PANORAMA
with Women Who Impact
Sponsored by EUROPEAN UNION
EMERSON
11:15 - 13:00 PM PANEL DISCUSSION: The Growing Need for African Stories: Are we ready to Benefit?
Sponsored by Goethe Institut
THE BOX
14:00 - 14:45 PM PRESS CONFERENCE: Q&A WITH FILMMAKERS
Sponsored by Karafuu Cafe
KARAFUU CAFE
15:00 - 17:00 PM FILM SCREENINGS MARUMARU HOTEL
15:00 - 17:00 PM EAFN MEETING
Sponsored by ZIFF
KARAFUU CAFE
07:00 - 10:00 PM VILLAGE PANORAMA
Sponsored by ZIFF
KIZIMKAZI
07:00 - 10:30 PM FILM SCREENING OLD FORT: AMPHITHEATER & MARUMARU HOTEL
10:30 - 00:00 AM NETWORKING
Sponsored by Livingstone Restaurant
LIVINGSTONE RESTAURANT

29th June, 2025: CLOSING DAY

Timing Details Venue
09:00 - 13:00 PM FILM SCREENINGS: SHORTS & SERIES MARATHON MARUMARU HOTEL & EMERSON
14:00 - 14:45 PM PRESS CONFERENCE: Q&A WITH FILMMAKERS
Sponsored by Karafuu Cafe
KARAFUU CAFE
13:30 - 17:00 PM FILM SCREENINGS: SHORTS & SERIES MARATHON MARUMARU HOTEL & EMERSON
07:00 - 10:30 PM CLOSING CEREMONY: AWARDS NIGHT OLD FORT: AMPHITHEATER

We're excited happy for our Partners