Kevin Ndege bags ZIFF Film Award

Kenyan actor Kevin Ndege was named the Best Actor at the Zuku Awards at the 15th Zanzibar International Film Festival Awards over the weekend. 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 and exceptional new talent in film directing and acting in Africa.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Wangeci Murage of  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.” Beside the Best Actor Award, Kevin’s movie Inside Story directed by Rolie Nikiwe bagged the Best African Film Award

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). 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.

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.