ZIFF 2011 (Zanzibar FilmFest) - Palmarès

Winners Announced at Annual ZIFF Awards Ceremony


25th JUNE 2011 The Jury of the 14th Annual Zanzibar International Film Festival have announced the winners in all competitive categories at the Annual Awards Ceremony at The Old Fort in Stonetown. The winner of the prestigious Golden Dhow award for feature film is The Rugged Priest by Bob Nyanja (Kenya). Based on real life events it is a story of a courageous priest who challenges corrupt and violent political power in the name of human justice, even though his life is in danger."The film is made with very good cinematographic technique and intelligent use of filmic language" said the ZIFF Jury.

The silver Dhow feature film went to Togetherness Supreme by Nathan Collett (Kenya). The Jury described it as a "remarkable, vibrant feature film of high technical skill and creativity" depicting a difficult and troubled period in the history of Kenya.

In the Industry Awards Category the Best Actor Award went to Okuyo Atiku Prince from State Research Bureau.

Tanzanian film Chumo picked up two awards here. Best Actress Award to JoKate Mwegelo and Best Director Award to Jordan Riber.


The Golden Dhow for Documentary Film: went to Hidden Truth by Penelope Machipi (Zambia) A "life affirming" documentary that displays the power of film in encouraging and empowering the abused women represented in the film to emancipate themselves and change their circumstances. "We were deeply touched by their courage and honesty and impressed with the filmmaker's sensitive approach to this difficult subject." said the ZIFF Jury.

Silver Dhow Documentary Film: The Last Voyage by Riaan Hendricks (South Africa) The film tells the story of the difficulties a family goes through when dealing with the demise and eventual death of a Father. The Jury "moved by this film which unfolds like an intimate, personal diary"

Best East African Film: went to Lezare by Zelalem Woldemariam (Ethiopia). A touching, symbolic story based on an old Ethiopian folktale. What is the solution to the starvation of Africa's poor? A quick, temporary solution for today, or a long-lasting solution for the future? This question is posed through the voice of a child. "The film displays good technical skill and captivating camerawork. "said the Jury.

Best Short Film: was awarded to A Beautiful Snowy Day by Mahaya Petrossian and Amir Toodehroosa (Iran). In the film, a mother faces a critical moment in her life, forced to choose between her son or to end her marriage and protect her family. "The jury chose this beautiful and heart-rending film which represents a true example of a universal problem of the position of women in a patriarchal society. The story is told with great essence and style. The metaphors are well chosen and encourage deep reflection. "said the Jury.

In the Swahili Awards category the award for Best Feature Film went to Ray Of hope (TZ), by Sajni Srivastava, the award for Best Actor in a Swahili film went to Jacob Stephen in Senior Bachelor.


Full List of Awards


Signis Awards

Signus Prize; Fambul Tok (USA), Sarah Terry

East African Talent Award; The Legend Of Ngong hills (KENYA), Kwame Nyong'O

Commendations; The Way Home Cinema, Dr. Biju; Body & Soul, Mathieu Bron



Sembene Awards

Winner; Ithemba, Errol Webber and Elinor Burkett

Encouragement Award; Swahili fighting Words, Mohamed Yunus Rafiq



ZIFF Industry Awards

Best Actor Award went to Okuyo Atiku Prince from State Research Bureau.

Best Actress Award to JoKate Mwegelo: Chumo.

Best Director Award to Jordan Riber. from Chumo.

Best Cinematography The Way Home Cinema

Best Original Score Making the Band

People choice Award, Taka Takata

Chairman's Award
Making the Band, Phad Mutumba


ZIFF Awards Special Mentions

Documentaries: Manenberg by Karen Waltorp and Christian Vium (Denmark and South Africa) Body and Soul by Matthieu Bron (Mozambique), Nazaeli by Abisae Maeda (Tanzania)

Short films: Garagouz by Abdenour Zahzah (Algeria), The Moment of Truth by Oliver Valente (Tanzania)