Press Release
Festival 2000 Awards Winner
Press Release
The colourful Festival of the Dhow Countries ended on July 9,
2000 in the Indian Ocean Islands of Zanzibar. This unique cultural event in East Africa
seeks to rediscover the cultural past of the Indian Ocean region. It is a celebration of
art and a recognition of artists for their significant contribution to the world of films,
music, fine art and fashion.
The Third Festival of the Dhow Countries brought together
both local and international artists to display and advertise their creative skills to
local and international audiences. The event was honoured by the presence of one of the
leading figure in African film making , Med Hondo. Introducing the outstanding African
filmmaker on the Opening Night, ZIFF Festival Director, Imruh Bakari described Med Hondo
as an influential and innovative filmmaker.
Traditionally the closure of the Festival is mainly marked
by an Award presentation ceremony in which the best feature and documentary films are
awarded with honours. During the Award presentation ceremony ZIFF presented various prizes
to best artists and filmmakers who had shown outstanding creative potential in their work.
This year the Festival of the Dhow Countries offered a
joint award for the most popular films to Neema [Tanzania] directed by Geoffrey Mhagama
and Yellow Card [Zimbabwe] directed by John Ribber. These two films were described as the
"people’s choice" because they captured the interests of both old and young
generations. The Chairperson’s Award was presented to Lost Innocence [Uganda/ Sierra
Leone] directed by Patrick Vergeynst and Why Did They kill Our Neighbours [Japan] directed
by Kumiko Igarashi.
The Jury presented special awards to leading actors and
films that captured the spirit of cinema. Soria Moufakkir as " Hanifa" in Aid El
Kabir [France], Sabine Dridi as "Amina" in Avril [Tunisia/France] and Ndeye
Touty Samb in Premiere Nuit Sur le Trottoir directed by Pape Seck were honoured for their
performances. The films Bye Bye Africa [Chad/ France] directed by Mahamat Saleh Haroun and
Kumar Talkies [India] directed by Pankaj Rishi Kumar were honoured for capturing the
spirit of "cinema".
In the feature film category the Golden Dhow Award
was presented to Jinnah [Pakistan] directed by Jamil Dehlavi. The film Bye Bye Africa
[Chad/France] directed by Mahamat Saleh Haroun received the Silver Dhow Award.
The Portrait of a Young Man Drowning [South Africa] and Aid El Kabir[France/Algeria] were
presented with Golden and Silver Dhow Award respectively.
In the documentary video L’Esprit de Mopti
[Mali/France] received the Golden Dhow Award. While Stone Town: Old Houses and
Strong Women in Zanzibar was given the Silver Dhow Award. In the documentary film
category the Golden Award went to two films namely Hillbrow Kids [South Africa]
directed by Michael Hammon & Jacqueline Gorgen and Mokrammeh: Memories and Dreams
[Iran/France] directed by Ebrahim Mokhtari. The Silver Dhow Award was given to Chef
[Cameroon] directed by Jean-Marie Teno.
In selecting the best film the Jury applied two sets of
criteria related to themes and technical excellence as well as aesthetic elements. The
themes included an exploration of cultural diversity, individual integrity, expression of
the Dhow history and universality. The technical and aesthetic criteria focused on dynamic
interrelation between fiction and reality, evidence of cinematic skills, creative use of
the medium and for documentaries, the educational, informative and humanistic qualities.
The team of the Jury composed of people with high level of
academic and professional integrity in various fields. These include Florence Ayisi
[Cameroon/UK] Senior Lecturer in Film and Video Studies, University of Wales, Mariet
Bakker [Holland] Founder/Director of Africa in the Picture, June Givanni [Guyana/ UK]
Programmer, Planet Africa Toronto International Film Festival], Godwin Z. Kaduma
[Tanzania] Playwright and Executive Secretary Eastern African Theatre Institute, Sara
Hlupekile Longwe [Zambia] Development Consultant, Chairperson of African Women’s
Development and Communications Network, Queenae Mulvihill [USA] Film Producer, Director
and Writer, Beatrix Mugishagwe [Tanzania] Director/Producer, Abantu Vision, Farouk
Topan[Zanzzibar/UK] Senior Lecturer in Swahili, School of Oriental and African Studies,
London.