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| Signis Juries Pamela Adinda (left) and Fr. Fabricio Colombo giving the Signis Awards at ZIFF |
The 2014 SIGNIS Jury Awards in the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) was presented to O Espinho Da Rosa in the film titled “The Thorn Of the Rose” directed by Filipe Henriques from Portugal.
Speaking with AMECEA Online News from Zanzibar, the AMECEA Administrative Secretary for Communication, Pamela Adinda who was among the juries said the captivating film captures the reality of injustices to the weak and vulnerable and goes ahead to show that where justice fails to prevail and where perpetrators always seem to triumph, God has a way of giving justice to the victims even if it takes very unconventional way; and justice for one person can also be justice to many others who have suffered the same oppression.
Adinda also said that the Signis East Africa Talent Award was given to a film titled “Sticking Ribbons”, an 18 minutes short movie produced by Kevin Njue and directed by Bill Johns in 2013. This is a product of talents from young upcoming film producer who is currently a student at one of the Kenyan Universities. The film which was presented as a course work at the university addresses the issue of drug addiction and recovery. The theme is well thought of and well presented in a very intriguing format.
She said that the Juries also commendeda short film titles “Shadow Tree” directed by Biju Viswanath of Tanzania. The 10 minutes film which was produced in 2013 is a captivating film whose theme describes an underlying problem in most societies and best way possible to solve the situation.
Besides Signis awards other awards presented to the festival were the Sembene Award, for the Ousmane Sembene Films for Development Award and the ZUKU Jury Award for the best Swahili (Bongo Movies) created by African Directors, in African Location and with African Actors and Actresses.
The 17thZanzibar International Film Festival ZIFF was held on 14th– 22ndJune 2014 with a theme, “A Common Destiny.” Prof. Martin Muhando, the CEO and Festival Director explained that the theme “was most appropriate because we often draw strength from the experiences of others, reinforcing our awareness of the shared histories of communities, nations, continents, cultures and the planet.
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| A model Carrying the Signis Award 2014 |
“Indeed the common destiny of humanity includes the attributes and bonds of affection found in each one of us. As we watch the films, listen to the stories or hear the gasp or chuckle in the audience we share in that moment a common experience that only movies provide us,” he explained adding as filmmakers, artists, musician, animators, families, communities and cultures come together during ZIFF and find amongst themselves common destinies reflected in our languages, histories and cross border affinities that define our diversity and Our Common Destiny!
SIGNIS has been collaborating with the ZIFF organizers for the last ten years and will continue to do so for as long as it will be possible. The SIGNIS Jury gives the SIGNIS Award, to either short or long film, or documentary which is not only well produced in terms of technicalities but also whose contents have both Christian and Human Values
The second award from SIGNIS is for Eastern Africa Talent Award, where excellent upcoming films makers from East African Countries namely Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi are considered. Third award by SIGNIS Award is a commendation to a well produced film whose content promotes human values.
The SIGNIS Jury pays attention to directing, editing, musical scoring, camerawork and lighting. For this year’s award, 22 long feature films, 33 short movies, 19 documentaries and five animation films were selected to contest and the jury had a hectic task choosing the best out of the tremendously done films presented for the competition.
Another member of the SIGNIS Juries was Fr. Fabricio Colombo of Comboni Missionaries from Signis Rome.
Source: AMECEA Social Communications