Where Hope Takes Root: EU at the Zanzibar International Film Festival
The streets and venues around Stone Town turned into an open-air celebration of storytelling, as the 28th edition of the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) lit up the island from 25 to 29 June.
A festival of creativity, community, and cinema, ZIFF is arguably East Africa’s most prestigious cultural gathering — and the European Union has been a proud supporter for the past five years.
Over five days, veteran directors, young filmmakers, students, and international guests came together to share, learn, and inspire through an exciting lineup of activities. The festival’s diverse program featured film workshops, outreach screenings in local communities, and special panoramas focusing on women and children. Funded by the European Union, these two flagship programs directly benefit the community: the Women Panorama, where women receive entrepreneurship training to help them grow economically and thrive sustainably in the market; and the Children Panorama, where children learn about filmmaking — with this year’s workshops teaching them how to create cartoons.
These meaningful initiatives provided valuable opportunities for skill-building and engagement, nurturing emerging talent and expanding the reach of cinema beyond traditional festival venues — all in line with this year’s theme, “Where Hope Takes Root”.
Among this year’s standout moments was the selection of Tears in the Rain, a short film by Cecilia Lubango, Member of the EU Youth Sounding Board in Tanzania. Through this powerful work, Cecilia sheds light on post-natal depression among teenage mothers and survivors of gender-based violence, confronting urgent social issues with empathy and honesty.
The festival also celebrated outstanding achievements with awards recognizing exceptional films and filmmakers. These accolades highlighted a range of voices and stories that embody ZIFF’s mission to use cinema as a tool for social and economic development across the region.
Reflecting on the festival and the EU’s ongoing support for arts and culture, Cecilia noted, “The European Union’s continued investment in creative platforms like ZIFF is vital. It not only nurtures young talent but also amplifies stories that matter — stories that have the power to positively influence society and inspire change. I am proud that my film contributes to this important conversation and that the EU stands behind initiatives addressing critical social issues.”
Christine Grau, Ambassador of the European Union to Tanzania and the East African Community, said: “ZIFF is a unique cultural platform that goes beyond film to foster creativity, community, and meaningful social dialogue. Its importance in addressing critical societal themes through art cannot be overstated. The European Union remains committed to supporting ZIFF as a catalyst for cultural expression and positive transformation.”
As ZIFF continues to grow and evolve, it remains a vital space where art meets advocacy, and where stories from across the region find a global audience. The European Union looks forward to deepening its partnership with the festival, supporting creative voices that inspire hope, spark dialogue, and contribute to lasting social change.