2 - 10 July, 2011

South African film-maker Stefanie Sycholt's film "Themba: A Boy Called Hope" won the 2010 Zanzibar International Film Festival Child Rights Award presented every year by UNICEF.  On 1 August at the glittering German premiere of the film in Cologne, Ms Sycholt received her award from Ms Anne Luetkes, a member of the Board for UNICEF Germany and  a strong advocate for child rights in her own right.

The Child Rights Award is presented by UNICEF Tanzania during the Zanzibar International Film Festival to the film that best exemplifies the struggle for the fulfillment of child rights in the region.  So apt for the times, “Themba” tells the story of a young South African boy's efforts to overcome adversity to fulfill his football dreams. Overcoming poverty, abandonment, HIV and other challenges, “Themba” teaches us the hope that is born out of sheer determination, commitment and resilience. The film features young South African Actor Nat Singo and former German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann in his film debut. Lehman was brought into the film by Ms Sycholt, who currently resides in Germany. Both were in South Africa during the World Cup for the timely South African premiere of the film.