ZIFF 2015 awarded a host of prizes to top films from around the world this evening during a stellar closing ceremony at the Old Fort in Stone Town. Festival Director Dr. Martin Mhando had this to say of the selection of films at ZIFF 2015, the level of films this year has surpasses our wildest expectations and many members of the jury have remarked on the quality of the films.

African films in particular have stood out for their increased production value as well as innovative story telling. We at ZIFF have been thrilled to present such a varied and wonderful range of films this year.

The closing ceremony included a performance from Barnanba as well as speeches from Mr Leonce Ngabo, Chair of the East African Film Network, ZUKU CEO Richard Bell, ZIFF Board Chairman Mahmoud Kombo, and of course, festival Director Martin Mhando.

Here are the official awards presented at the Zanzibar International Film Festival 2015.

ZUKU BONGO MOVIE AWARDS

People's Choice Award - MR. KADAMANJA

Best Film in Sound - SAMAKI MCHANGANI

Best Cinematography - DADDY'S WEDDING

Best Actress - JOKATE MWEGELO in Mikono Salama

Best Actor - ADAM KUAMBIANA in Mr.Kadamanja

Best Director - HONEYMOON MOHAMED Daddy's Wedding

Best Feature Film - KUTAKAPOKUCHA

EUROPEAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL AWARD

Best African Film - WAZI FM - Dir: Faras Cavallo

EAC - EAFN AWARDS

Best East African Film (Feature) - GOING BONGO - Dir: Dean Matthew Ronalds

Best East African Film (Documentary) - SHADOW FIGHTERS - Dir: Josefine Heimburger

Best East African Film (Short) - ANGLES OF MY FACE - Dir: Manu Maina

SIGNIS AWARDS

Commendation: EYE OF THE CYCLONE (Burkina Faso) Dir: Sekou Traore

Signis East Afircan Talent Award: WAZI FM (Kenya) Dir: Faras Cavallo

Signis Award: LIFE IS WAITING: REFERENDUM & RESISTANCE IN WESTERN SAHARA - Lara Lee

OUSMANE SEMBENE AWARDS:

Special Mention

UTHANDO- Dir: Tulanana Bohela (Tanzania/South Africa)

LIBERT EMPRISONN E' - Dir: Sarah Mikayil (Morocco)

Sembene Awards:

HOUKAK - Dir: Youn s Yousfi (Morocco)

KWAKU - Dir: Akosua Adoma Owusu (Ghana)

SOKO SONKO - Dir: Ekwa Msangi (Tanzania / Kenya)

ZIFF AWARDS

Bi Kidude Award (Chairman's Award) - PRICE OF LOVE - Dir: Hermon Hailay

Lifetime Achievement Award

BI. FATMA ALLOO

HASSAN MITAWI

Special Jury Prize - EVERY DAY IS A SMALL LIFE - Dir: Albane Fioretti

Best Documentary - PAPA MACHETE - Dir: Jonathan David Kane

Best Short/Animation - SOKO SONKO (THE MARKET KING) - Dir: Ekwa Msangi

Best East African Film Talent - STRENGTH OF A WOMAN - Dir: Gilbert Lukalia

Silver Dhow Award - Best Feature Film (Runner Up) - SIMSHAR - Dir: Rebecca Cremona

Golden Dhow Award - Best Feature Film - WAZI FM - Dir: Faras Cavallo

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