Every year the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) hosts a series of workshops aimed at supporting and developing the talents of young filmmakers, especially those from East Africa. The 19th edition of ZIFF, taking place from 9 to 17 July 2016, will see a range of workshops, including, once again, the participation of The Maisha Lab, a prominent screenwriting and film production lab in East Africa.
Workshops
Cinematography: Zanzibar Beach Resort
11 to 16 July 10h00 – 16h30
Animation: Customs House – DCMA
12 to 15 July 09:00 – 15h30
Documentary: Zanzibar Beach Resort
12 to 15 July 10h00 – 17h30
Maisha Lab: Island Paradise – Mlandege
7 to 14 July 09h00 – 17h30
UZIKWASA Community Change Workshop – Customs House/Old Dispensary
13 July 10h00 – 17h30
Cinematography
Many East African filmmakers have become adept at using the high quality production afforded by current digital cameras like Canon 5D and 7D. However many cinematographers do not push the capacities of the cameras. The workshop is intended to give professionals in the industry skills and knowledge in how to best utilise digital cameras beyond mere recording. Participants will be required to pay a subsidised fee of Tsh 200 000. The workshop will be run by Barry Braverman.
Animation
This workshop will have two components; the first one will be a ‘Train the Trainer’ component where experienced animators from Tanzania will work with trainers from Germany to enhance their techniques in preparation for training young people in animation methods. The second element will be a major workshop for children and youth (10 to 19 years). This workshop will develop basic and empowering skills in animation as well as cartoons. The workshop will be run by Ebele Okoye and Anaeli Kihunrwa, with the support of the Goethe Institute Dar Es salaam.
Maisha Lab
The Maisha Lab is the most prominent screenwriting and film production lab in East Africa. ZIFF has collaborated with them over the last seven years and another workshop will again be held during ZIFF 2016. This workshop is open to 15 scriptwriters from Tanzania.
Documentary production: The Bent Marble Workshop
This workshop is for beginners and untrained documentary storytellers. It is intended to develop storytelling skills. Bent Marble’s mission is to teach people to make creative documentaries using the digital tools (cameras, smartphones, tablets, computers, etc.) they already possess, and then share their stories with the world.
Participants working individually or in small groups will be guided through the process of making a short, typically three to five minute, documentary film on a topic from their personal world of experience. The workshop will emphasize creativity and is designed to give participants an opportunity to discover their unique storytelling voice and style. The workshop will also serve to increase participants’ digital media literacy, while promoting a sense of world citizenship and greater cross-cultural understanding. The workshop will be run by Steve Clarke.
