Zuku TV – the headlining sponsor of the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) – welcomes the Maisha Lab as the host of the Screenwriting Laboratory during ZIFF 2015. ZIFF takes place from 18 to 26 July in Stone Town.
The 2015 edition of the Maisha Lab is the seventh lab to be held in Zanzibar with ZIFF as the local partner. The Screenwriting Laboratory has been one of the most influential film training grounds in East Africa, inspiring regional filmmakers with over 1,000 participants already having taken part in the training. Programme director of the Kampala-based Maisha Film Lab, Fibby Kioria, has explained that they expect to award 60 scholarships a year, for the next three years, to participants from Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya. These sponsorships are made possible with funding from Stichting Doen.
She added, “In the eight day workshop, the 60 selected participants (15 from each country) will work with internationally renowned mentors to refine their work and broaden their horizons in the film business and the art of filmmaking. The winning script will receive an award of US$5,000 to produce their short film.’
The official sponsors of ZIFF are also behind this initiative to develop skills amongst East African filmmakers, as Mandy Roger, TV director at Zuku, explained, “As a pay TV platform that promotes the art of filmmaking, Zuku is proud to be part of this initiative and promoting high calibre talent on our platform. Maisha film lab aims to seek, identify, nurture and promote creative talent among children and youth through hands on skills in development programs such as film making, arts appreciation, organisation and presentation of cultural and creative events.’
ZIFF is committed to supporting Zanzibari filmmakers intending to apply and is offering assistance in ensuring scripts are properly presented, thereby improving the applicants chances of being selected.
Interested Zanzibari applicants are asked to contact the ZIFF office by emailing ziff@ziff.or.tz or visit the Maisha Lab website.
Fully completed applications are to be emailed to: fibby@maishafilmlab.org
