ZIFF offers screenwriting opportunities for East Africa scriptwriters

Program Director of the Kampala based Maisha Film Lab, Fibby Kioria, says they expect to award 60 scholarships a year for the next three years to participants from Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya. These sponsorships are made possible with funding from Stichting Doen. Applications close on 13 June 2015.

"In the 8-day workshop, the 60 selected participants (15 from each country) will work with internationally renowned mentors to refine their work and broaden their horizons in the film business and the art of filmmaking. The winning script will receive an award of $5000 to produce the short film."

ZIFF of the Dhow countries is the longest running film festival in East Africa, with global credibility and instant Pan-African recognition. Zuku, a homegrown East African TV and communications brand, sponsors ZIFF through a 10-year contract that runs through 2021. The Festival's mission is to promote and highlight the culture of the Dhow Countries. For more information, go to www.ziff.or.tz or Facebook.

Mandy Roger, TV Director at Zuku adds, "As a pay TV platform that promotes the art of filmmaking, the company is proud to be part of this initiative and promote high calibre talent on our platform. The film lab aims to seek, identify, nurture and promote creative talent among children and youth through hands on skills in development programs such as film making, arts appreciation, organisation and presentation of cultural and creative events."

Zuku TV services have been successfully launched in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi and most recently Zambia with aggressive plans to roll out to more countries in the near future. For more information, go to www.zuku.co.ke.