Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), also known as Festival of the Dhow Countries.
FESTIVAL PROGRAMME 2026
24th June, 2026: OPENING DAY
| No. | Activity | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ZIFF Parade Sponsored by ZIFF |
Old Fort → Kisongoni | 15:00 – 16:00 |
| 2 | Opening Ceremony | Main Venue | 19:00 – 20:30 |
| 3 | Screening: Opening Film | Main Venue | 20:30 – 22:32 |
| 4 | After Party | TBC | 22:40 – Late |
25th June, 2026: CREATIVE DOCUMENTARY DAY
| No. | Activity | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Press Conference | Serena Hotel | 09:00 – 10:00 |
| 2 | Panel Discussion: AI & Creative Documentary Film Production Sponsored by Goethe-Institut & Film Lab Zanzibar |
Serena Hotel | 10:05 – 11:30 |
| 3 | Documentary Screening: Molly vs The Machines (84') | Serena Hotel | 11:30 – 13:00 |
| 4 | Lunch Break | N/A | 13:00 – 14:15 |
| 5 | Masterclass: AI and Film Industry Ecosystem by Lissa Russell | Serena Hotel | 14:30 – 16:00 |
| 6 | Documentary Film Screening | Serena Hotel | 16:10 – 18:00 |
| 7 | Village Panorama Sponsored by EU & UN Women |
Makunduchi (Unguja) & Kojani (Pemba) | 19:00 – 22:00 |
| 8 | Mobile Cinema Sponsored by Nafasi Art Space |
Lebanon Brothers | 19:00 – 20:00 |
| 9 | Ahadi Screenings Sponsored by Ajabu Ajabu |
Jaws Corner | 19:00 – 20:00 |
| 10 | Wall Is A Screen Sponsored by Ajabu Ajabu |
Habari House | 20:00 – 21:30 |
| 11 | Film Screening | Main Venue | 19:00 – 23:00 |
| 12 | Networking | TBC | 23:30 – Late |
Alongside Events
| No. | Activity | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Children's Panorama: Storytelling Through Animation by Alpha Israel Wambugu (Kenya) | Emerson on Hurumzi | 10:00 – 12:30 |
| 14 | Film Screening | Marumaru Fountain Hall | 09:30 – 18:30 |
| 15 | Women Panorama: Women Dhow Race Sponsored by EU & UN Women |
Kojani (Pemba) | 13:00 – 16:00 |
26th June, 2026: COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRY INNOVATION DAY
| No. | Activity | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Press Conference | Serena Hotel | 09:00 – 09:30 |
| 2 | Panel Discussion: AI in TV Commercial Production | Serena Hotel | 09:35 – 11:00 |
| 3 | Panel Discussion: AI and Digital Content Creation | Serena Hotel | 11:10 – 13:00 |
| 4 | Lunch Break | N/A | 13:00 – 14:15 |
| 5 | Outdoor Events: Dhow Race & Hadzabe Cultural Experience | Serena Hotel | 14:30 – 16:00 |
| 6 | Industry Presentation: AI and Film Screenings | Serena Hotel | 16:30 – 17:45 |
| 7 | Village Panorama | Makunduchi (Unguja) & Jumba Kubwa Wete (Pemba) | 19:00 – 22:00 |
| 8 | Mobile Cinema | Shangani Habari House | 19:00 – 20:00 |
| 9 | Ahadi Screenings | Lebanon Brothers | 19:00 – 20:00 |
| 10 | Wall Is A Screen | Jaws Corner | 20:00 – 21:30 |
| 11 | Film Screening | Main Venue | 19:00 – 23:25 |
| 12 | Networking | TBC | 23:30 – Late |
Alongside Events
| No. | Activity | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Children's Panorama: Storytelling Through Animation by Alpha Israel Wambugu (Kenya) | Emerson on Hurumzi | 10:00 – 12:30 |
| 14 | Symposium: African Cinema – Are We Truly Free? | The Box | 16:30 – 18:30 |
27th June, 2026: THE PREMIERE DAY
| No. | Activity | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Press Conference | Serena Hotel | 09:00 – 09:30 |
| 2 | Panel Discussion: AI and East Africa Creative Economy | Serena Hotel | 09:35 – 11:00 |
| 3 | Panel Discussion: AI and Film Distribution | Serena Hotel | 11:10 – 13:00 |
| 4 | Lunch Break | N/A | 13:00 – 14:00 |
| 5 | AI Film Screening & Q&A: Kilwa Kisiwani (Sultan Tamba), My Grandfather (Ali Ringo) | Serena Hotel | 14:00 – 15:00 |
| 6 | Masterclass: AI and Film Distribution | Serena Hotel | 15:00 – 16:00 |
| 7 | Industry Presentation: E-Sports & Opportunities for Content Creators and Filmmakers | Serena Hotel | 16:00 – 17:00 |
| 8 | Village Panorama | Makunduchi (Unguja) & Basketball Court, Mkoani (Pemba) | 19:00 – 22:00 |
| 9 | Mobile Cinema | Jaws Corner | 19:00 – 20:00 |
| 10 | Film Screening | Main Venue | 19:00 – 00:00 |
| 11 | Networking | TBC | 00:30 – Late |
Alongside Events
| No. | Activity | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Film Screening | Marumaru Fountain Hall | 09:30 – 18:00 |
| 13 | Masterclass: AI and the Art of Subtitling | Emerson on Hurumzi | 10:00 – 11:30 |
| 14 | Networking Session: Festival Directors | Karafuu Restaurant | 16:30 – 17:30 |
| 15 | An Evening on the Beach with Hadza: Hadzabe Cultural Dinner Experience | Livingstone Beach Restaurant | 19:00 – 22:30 |
28th June, 2026: THE SHORTS & DRAMA SERIES MARATHON DAY
| No. | Activity | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Press Conference | Emerson on Hurumzi | 09:00 – 09:30 |
| 2 | Film Screening: The Shorts Marathon | Marumaru Fountain Hall | 09:00 – 13:00 |
| 3 | Film Screening: Drama Series Marathon | Serena Hotel | 09:00 – 12:50 |
| 4 | Lunch Break | N/A | 13:00 – 14:00 |
| 5 | Film Screening: The Shorts Marathon | Marumaru Fountain Hall | 14:00 – 18:30 |
| 6 | Film Screening: Drama Series Marathon | Serena Hotel | 14:00 – 16:30 |
| 7 | Awards Ceremony | Main Venue | 19:00 – 22:30 |
We're excited happy for our Partners
