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(July 17, 2012) The Zuku Awards Categories winners have been announced
today at the 15th Zanzibar International Film Festival Awards. Hailed as
the newest awards category introduced at the ZIFF Festival, the Zuku Awards
seek to reward the best film created by African Directors, in African
Location and with African Actors and Actresses. The award rewarded
creativity in telling African stories, rewarding exceptional new talent in
film directing and acting in Africa. ****
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Speaking at the Awards Ceremony, Wangeci Murage Zuku said, “we are very
excited to introduce the new Zuku Awards to the Zanzibar International Film
Festival, and we aim to grow this award to one of the most prestigious Film
Festival Awards in Africa.”****
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This year, the Zuku Best African Film Award was given to Inside Story
directed by Rolie Nikiwe. The movie from Rwanda reflected the creativity,
excellence in the script writing and directing of the Film. The Zuku Best
Actor Award was given to Kevin Ndege Mambo who acted as in the Inside Story
Film. The Zuku Best Actress Award was given to three ladies namely Thuli
Khulamelo, Nomfundo Dunazana and Reona Ngiba who acted in the Film Uhlanga
(The Mark)****
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Commenting on the Zuku Best Actress Award, Vata Nganda said, “the winners
of the Zuku Best Actress Award are a true reflection of what we seek to
achieve with the award in raising the bar for new talent”. She added, we
can see this award growing to become the most prestigious award in Africa.**
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The Ousmane Sembene Films for Development Award to the film Uhlanga (The
Mark) South Africa. The Movie Uhlanga (The Mark) also won the prestigious
Verona Award and tickets to fly to Verona for the Film Festival.****
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The ZIFF Award for the Best Short Film was Moccasins directed by Denis M.
Kimathi, ZIFF Best Documentary Award was Mama Africa directed by Mika
Kaurismaki, ZIFF Best Animation Award was given to Ostora, Directed by Hani
Kichi.****
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The Ziff Golden Dhow Award was given to Uhlanga (The Mark) from South
Africa, ZIFF Golden Dow Runner Up Award and the ZIFF Best East African Film
Award were given to the Film Zamora from Tanzania. In addition the Ziff
Best Tanzania Feature Film was won by Chungu. Finally the ZIFF Best
Tanzania Actor Award was given to Richard Mhlanga who acted in the movie
Chungu****
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Zuku, a leading pay TV network covering Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, has
committed to sponsoring ZIFF over a period of 10 years for a total of one
million dollars. The sponsorship is expected to provide much needed
stability and support that will in turn contribute significantly towards
improving the film industry, not only in Tanzania but the rest of Africa. **
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Zuku is Africa’s fastest growing home entertainment provider which offers a
wide selection of entertainment channels covering news, sports, movies,
documentaries and music. These include various 3rd party channels such as
BBC World News, MTV Base, Setanta Sports, Fox Entertainment and E! to name
but a few. The provider also offers many of its own tailor-made channels
such as Zuku Afrika, airing African content, Zuku Life, focusing on
documentaries, and Zuku Sports, as well as a number of themed movie
channels. The service is available via satellite throughout Tanzania. ****
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