Zanzibar International Film Festival is an NGO established in 1997 to develop and promote film and other cultural industries in order to catalyse regional social and economic growth. ZIFF is the main organiser of the annual film festival in Zanzibar which is known as one of the largest cultural events in East Africa. ZIFF is a truly local festival, with exhibitions, workshops and cultural tours that take you to the heart of the community. The organisation promotes local talent in film and music and showcases new and old creative achievements. ZIFF has a core staff managing various events throughout the year. In addition, the organisation collaborates with a large number of volunteers and partners which enables them to continuously reach new audiences.
ZIFF will use the building as its base, and will be involved in the programming of events in the multi-purpose hall throughout the year and during the festival.
Busara Promotions has been registered as an NGO in Zanzibar since 2003 with the mission to promote the development of both established and upcoming musicians, particularly those living in disadvantaged communities. Sauti za Busara, their flagship event, takes place every year in Stone Town during February. Sauti za Busara is more than ‘just’ a music festival: it contributes to the growth and professionalisation of the creative sector in the region; provides learning, exchange and employment opportunities, and promotes Zanzibar globally as a leading destination for cultural tourism. Whilst continuing to maintain and build on the reputation of Sauti za Busara festival in Zanzibar, Busara Promotions also aim to develop further over the next five years by expanding events, strengthening partnerships and diversifying sustainable revenue streams.
Busara Promotions will use the buildings as its base office and will be involved in the programming of events in the multi-purpose hall throughout the year and during the festival.
Reclaim Women Space is an NGO set up to counter the marginalisation of spaces for women in the public realm and to better the position of women in Zanzibar. The organisation promotes safe public spaces and creates opportunities for women to shine. Reclaim Women Space believes that women’s access to the public sphere is about much more than having a place to chat with friends- it is symbolic of the economic, social, and political power they hold in society, and their ability to share ideas and solve problems communally. The organisation is a bottom-up local effort aiming to empower women to work together to take back public spaces that have been overrun or co-opted for other purposes and to create new spaces that better serve their communities. Their focus is on employing female engineers and hosting skills classes that teach women everything from masonry to running a business. Using a technique called "memory mapping," Reclaim Women's Space asks women from across several generations to draw memories of their favourite public spaces in Stone Town and imagine ones they would like to see in the future in an effort to improve the community's livelihood.
Reclaim Women Space will use the building as its base and use it for their programmes and activities. RWS will be consulted for actively involving women groups in the programming as well as employment that comes with the rehabilitation of the building