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MAANGAMIZI, a film co-directed by a Tanzanian national Martin Mhando, and an American Ron Mulvihill last Saturday was declared the best long feature film and won the Golden Dhow Award plus 5,000US dollars (about3.3m/-) at the first Zanzibar Film Festival.
The festival was held in Zanzibar from July 11 to 18.
The award was presented to the winners by Mr. Atef Ghabrial, Chief of Education, Science and Technology of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) at a colourful ceremony held at Bwawani Hotel on Saturday night.
The chief guest at the ceremony was Zanzibar's Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Education, Mr. Omari Ramadhani Mapuri.
The Silver Dhow Award and 2,000US dollars for Short Feature Films was won by a film titled Pic Pic. The has been directed by Khal Torabully of Mauritius.
There was no winner for the Golden Coconut Award on documentaries because according to Professor Penina Mlama who was head of the jury, "None of the films presented in that category met the criteria to win the award."
Prof. Mlama said the jury which included high profile film personalities from Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Iran, Senegal, Tanzania and Somalia watched a total of 32 films.
Former Premier, Mzee Rashidi Mfaume Kawawa, was presented with the Father of Tanzania Film Cinema Award for his contribution to the film industry in the country. Mzee Kawawa, during his youth, acted in a number of films including the famous Muhogo Mchungu .
Abeid Swaa won the Kawawa Award for the best Tanzania film actor. Swaa acted in a film called Gubu La Wifi while Professor Amandina Lihamba was declared the best actress for her role in Maangamizi.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Mapuri paid tribute to the organisers for making Zanzibar a show-case for cosmopolitan films.
He offered the Government's full support for the festival next year.
Mr. Mapuri further noted that developing countries were flooded with cheap western films which depict a totally different life style from ours. "It is my sincere hope that the festival will check this trend so that our people start to see more of our films, " noted Mr. Mapuri.
Speaking to this reporter soon after receiving the Golden Dhow Award, Ron Mulvihill said that he was completely taken by surprise for the win.
"Believe me, this is the happiest day of my life. I am happy but at the same time sad that my co-director, Martin Mhando, is not here tonight to share with me this glorious moment," he said.
Mulvihill who currently is director of Gris-Gris Films in the United States further said that he is dedicating the award to the memory of the late Ng'oge Nganyoma, a long time friend and director. The duo co-directed a film titled Arusi Ya Mariamu.
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