Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), taking place from 9 to 17 July, recently announced the signing of a sponsorship agreement with the Italian NGO, ACRA. This move will not only support ZIFF, one of Zanzibar’s major festival events, but also support the island’s tourism and cultural development.
ACRA will fund the Difficult Dialogues Public Forum, held during the festival each year, as well as an Artist-in-Residency programme and exhibition in collaboration with NAFASI Art Space, and the My Heritage workshop in collaboration with UQ Produzioni of Italy.
Laura Bassini, programme manager of ACRA explains their involvement, “ACRA recognises the role that civic organisations like ZIFF play towards development and the festival is a great occasion to acknowledge that good work.’
“Awareness is an essential background towards long term sustainability of cultural heritage. People need to be informed about the outstanding value of Stonetown Heritage for the entire world. On this basis, local inhabitants will have higher motivation to maintain and promote it,’ added Bassini, noting that the UNESCO office in Dar es Salaam and other interested parties have agreed to participate in the public forum that will take place on 13 July.
Speaking at the signing of the contract, professor Martin Mhando, CEO of ZIFF said, “Among different activities, the project will create different awareness activities in order to sensitise Zanzibar inhabitants on the importance of the conservation of the built heritage of Stone Town and its potential for economic growth, and income generation.’
“We stop the festival to engage with the community of Zanzibar, and the public forum is our way of assuring that the people of Zanzibar maintain their right to freedom of speech as enshrined in the UNO charter,’ concluded Mhando.
The UNO is a major supporter of ZIFF through UNESCO, UNFPA and UNICEF.
For more information visit the Fondazione ACRA website or the ZIFF website.
