We are excited to bring the world of film to Kilimanjaro. Screenings, panel discussions, exhibitions, side events and workshops are the hallmark of the festival
For centuries, women’s positive and transformative stories have been ignored, neglected, and even doctored in mainstream media not only in Tanzania and Africa, but globally. The lack of transformative systems to document ‘herstories’ in contrast to the well-known framework of documenting ‘his-story’ has left many women’s stories untold and unshared, with some even disappearing completely. This means that the current generation, especially youth, may not have access to the contributions their great-grandmothers made to their communities and the world. The main objective of the panel is to facilitate ongoing HerStory conversations through films.
As we face issues of climate change, young people are also affected by a lack of information on traditional knowledge related to climate resilience and adaptation. Creating spaces for youth to learn and seek knowledge is crucial. The main goal of the panel is to use film as a platform for intergenerational debates on critical climate justice issues like carbon offsets and credits.
There are factors that hinder many African films from accessing international markets, including a lack of expertise in penetrating the global content market and restrictive laws and regulations that stifle creativity. The Filming in Africa panel aims to connect filmmakers with renowned filmmakers and producers from the global film production industries to exchange knowledge, experience, and expertise on accessing international markets.
Mkulima Market supports small farmers, fishers, and livestock keepers in marketing their quality products by incorporating creativity. Since its establishment, Mkulima Market has supported various agricultural producers in reaching markets through open markets, outreach programs, branding, value addition, market information sharing, and updates, among other initiatives. The main goal of the Mkulima Market exhibition is to strengthen existing market avenues and open new ones for Tanzanian agricultural products, both within the country and internationally (including export business). The exhibition aims to increase the visibility of agricultural productivity by providing a physical space for showcasing agricultural produce.
The sustainability of the tourism business in Tanzania depends on investments made in conservation. Community engagement in conservation contributes effectively to the tourism value chain and creates productive employment opportunities for many. It is well-documented that films and other artistic presentations help communities easily grasp information and knowledge. Films not only showcase tourism but also provide an opportunity to share conservation education with a wider audience. The Community Conservation exhibition provides a space to exhibit community initiatives in conservation and share success stories with the public.
Tourism Innovation Hub (TIHub) offers a unique Apprenticeship Program designed to empower and equip young, creative minds with the skills and experience needed to excel. The Youth Development Apprenticeship Program provides hands-on training and real-world experience to young individuals interested in Festival Management, Creative Marketing, Graphics Design, Social Media Curation, and Film Production. The program offers apprentices the opportunity to work on high-impact projects in the tourism, agriculture, media, film, and other creative industries. The Apprenticeship Program Exhibition aims to popularize the program and provide information to many youths aged 18-35 in Tanzania and beyond on how to become apprentices and the benefits of the program.
The film industry in Tanzania has experienced significant growth in the past 30 years, largely due to technological advancements globally. Tanzania, along with many other African countries, has benefited from these developments but remains underrepresented in the global film industry. Most films produced are consumed locally in Tanzania or within Africa, with limited reach beyond the continent. The Filming Tanzania workshop focuses on equipping Tanzanian directors and producers with the necessary skills and strategies to access global film markets, increase their capital investments, and profits using Tanzanian scenery.
One area where Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) are lacking is in the welfare of the practitioners. Challenges such as lack of employment opportunities, unsafe working conditions, including occupational safety and health, and inadequate social security and protection are prevalent. The industry is also affected by a lack of enabling environment for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and insufficient earnings. The Decent Work side event provides a platform for dialogue on how to improve the welfare of practitioners in CCIs.
The Zanzibar in Kilimanjaro is an exciting initiative dedicated to promoting the rich cultural and creative endeavors of Zanzibar within the vibrant context of film development and eco-tourism. Positioned against the backdrop of the Kilimanjaro Film Festival, this event is meant to showcase not only Zanzibar’s unique artistic heritage through film but also provide a space for a wide array of cultural expressions, from traditional music and dance to visual arts and crafts. By blending the cinematic spotlight with Zanzibar’s diverse cultural landscape, the platform seeks to elevate the island’s status as a hub for cultural tourism, engaging both local and international audiences in a celebration of its heritage.
Through this platform, filmmakers, cultural practitioners, and artists from Zanzibar have access to training, workshops, and exhibitions that allow them to refine their craft. The Zanzibar in Kilimanjaro initiative allows donors and sponsors to collaborate, co-create and support tourism development, economic growth and investments in the creative industries.
The film industry in Tanzania has experienced significant growth in the past 30 years, largely due to technological advancements globally. Tanzania, along with many other African countries, has benefited from these developments but remains underrepresented in the global film industry. Most films produced are consumed locally in Tanzania or within Africa, with limited reach beyond the continent. The Filming Tanzania workshop focuses on equipping Tanzanian directors and producers with the necessary skills and strategies to access global film markets, increase their capital investments, and profits using Tanzanian scenery.
Kilimanjaro Film Festival (KiliFilmFest) calls for submission from August each year. Film submission is free for all categories.
