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Tanzania🇹🇿 | festivalsZanzibar International Film FestivalOld Fort amphitheater, Stone Town venues, filmmaker Q&As, Forodhani suppers | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Zanzibar International Film
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Walk everywhere. That is the practical edge of Zanzibar International Film Festival: nearly every venue sits within a short stroll of the others in Stone Town, so you spend your days on foot rather than in taxis. The festival is held in Tanzania, on the island of Zanzibar, with Stone Town on the west coast as its center. Screenings spill across the Old Fort, the Dhow Countries Music Academy and a cluster of old merchant houses, and you reach them through lanes barely wider than your outstretched arms, past carved wooden doors and kiosks pouring spiced coffee. Expect African and Indian Ocean cinema, documentaries, short films and live music, with a crowd of filmmakers, students, island families and travelers. Evenings turn into open-air shows by the sea. Compared with Dar es Salaam's film events, this one is slower, more intimate and far more atmospheric, because the whole old town becomes the cinema.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 festival in TanzaniaWhat makes this festival worth celebrating

Zanzibar International Film Festival pulls backpackers because it turns a place you might pass through in two days into a place you linger in for a week. The lineup is built around the Indian Ocean world, so you watch stories from the Swahili coast, East Africa and beyond, then argue about them over fish curry with people who made them. That conversation is the real draw. Directors, actors and musicians stay in the same guesthouses and eat at the same Forodhani Gardens night market, so you rarely need an introduction to start talking.

The second reason is how neatly it slots into a route through East Africa. Many travelers pair it with a safari on the mainland or a few beach days on the east coast, then let the festival fill the Stone Town stretch with free or very cheap screenings. Most … read more 👉
Zanzibar International Film Festival pulls backpackers because it turns a place you might pass through in two days into a place you linger in for a week. The lineup is built around the Indian Ocean world, so you watch stories from the Swahili coast, East Africa and beyond, then argue about them over fish curry with people who made them. That conversation is the real draw. Directors, actors and musicians stay in the same guesthouses and eat at the same Forodhani Gardens night market, so you rarely need an introduction to start talking.

The second reason is how neatly it slots into a route through East Africa. Many travelers pair it with a safari on the mainland or a few beach days on the east coast, then let the festival fill the Stone Town stretch with free or very cheap screenings. Most events are open to the public, and the Old Fort amphitheater shows are easy to join with a casual ticket or none at all. Music nights run late, and the walk back through the old town is part of the experience.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. Old Fort screenings: The thick coral walls of the Old Fort, built by Omani rulers in the late 1600s, enclose an open-air amphitheater facing the sea. Watching a film here with a warm breeze and bats overhead is the festival's signature moment.
  2. Stone Town venue-hopping: Programs are spread through the old town, so you wander between screening spaces along tight alleys, pass carved doors and stop for coffee between shows. The walking is half the fun.
  3. Dhow Countries Music Academy concerts: Taarab, the sweet and stirring music of the Swahili coast, is performed live by local musicians. The evening sets are a direct way to hear the sound behind the stories on screen.
  4. Filmmaker Q&A sessions: Directors and producers often stay to talk after screenings. Questions run frank and informal, and you get to
… read more 👉
  1. Old Fort screenings: The thick coral walls of the Old Fort, built by Omani rulers in the late 1600s, enclose an open-air amphitheater facing the sea. Watching a film here with a warm breeze and bats overhead is the festival's signature moment.
  2. Stone Town venue-hopping: Programs are spread through the old town, so you wander between screening spaces along tight alleys, pass carved doors and stop for coffee between shows. The walking is half the fun.
  3. Dhow Countries Music Academy concerts: Taarab, the sweet and stirring music of the Swahili coast, is performed live by local musicians. The evening sets are a direct way to hear the sound behind the stories on screen.
  4. Filmmaker Q&A sessions: Directors and producers often stay to talk after screenings. Questions run frank and informal, and you get to hear how films are made on small budgets in East Africa.
  5. Forodhani Gardens night market: After the last show, head to the seafront gardens where stalls grill octopus, king fish and skewers, and sell Zanzibar pizza and sugarcane juice. Locals and festival guests eat side by side as the sky darkens over the harbor.
Forodhani Gardens costs the least, since strolling there is free and you pay only for whatever you choose to eat, while many festival screenings are also open at low or no cost to the public.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Zanzibar International Film Festival

Zanzibar Airport Transfers Pickup and Drop off/departure

Zanzibar Airport Transfers Pickup and Drop off/departure

5.0(116) 1h
From €23
per personViator
Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide

Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide

5.0(78)
From €18.11
per personViator
Private Tour Zanzibar Unique Stone Town with spice Farm Plantations

Private Tour Zanzibar Unique Stone Town with spice Farm Plantations

5.0(60) 5h
From €67
per personViator
Private Transfer from Zanzibar airport/port - Pick & Drop off

Private Transfer from Zanzibar airport/port - Pick & Drop off

5.0(51)
From €23
per personViator
Private Stone Town Walking Tour

Private Stone Town Walking Tour

5.0(40) 3h
From €39
per personViator
Day Trip From Zanzibar To Mikumi

Day Trip From Zanzibar To Mikumi

5.0(34) 10h
From €453
per personViator
Private Stone town and Spice farm Tour with swahili lunch

Private Stone town and Spice farm Tour with swahili lunch

5.0(33) 6h
From €119
per personViator
Zanzibar Archipelago Private 3 Day Tour

Zanzibar Archipelago Private 3 Day Tour

5.0(32) 72h
From €811
per personViator
Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar

Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar

5.0(29)
From €127
per personViator
Stone town Private Walking Tour

Stone town Private Walking Tour

5.0(29) 2h 30m
From €18.11
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Zanzibar International Film Festival?

Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) runs for about a week in July, usually in the second half of the month, with screenings centered on the Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
  • Best days: The opening night draws the biggest crowds and the parties. Midweek screenings are calmer, with easier seating and a chance to talk to filmmakers.
  • Weather: July is cool and mostly dry, around 24 to 29°C (75 to 84°F), with short showers possible and a sea breeze after dark. Bring a light layer for open-air evenings, sunscreen, and modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed two to three months ahead. July is high season on the island, and Stone Town rooms can cost 30 to 50 percent more than in the quiet months.
  • Travel timing: Ferries from Dar es Salaam and flights
… read more 👉
Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) runs for about a week in July, usually in the second half of the month, with screenings centered on the Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
  • Best days: The opening night draws the biggest crowds and the parties. Midweek screenings are calmer, with easier seating and a chance to talk to filmmakers.
  • Weather: July is cool and mostly dry, around 24 to 29°C (75 to 84°F), with short showers possible and a sea breeze after dark. Bring a light layer for open-air evenings, sunscreen, and modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed two to three months ahead. July is high season on the island, and Stone Town rooms can cost 30 to 50 percent more than in the quiet months.
  • Travel timing: Ferries from Dar es Salaam and flights fill up around the opening weekend. Arrive a day before it starts and leave midweek after the closing night to avoid the port queues.
Book your ferry or flight at the same time as your bed, because both sell out together.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Stone Town is the clear choice, because the main screenings and gatherings sit within a short walk of its narrow lanes, and you can skip taxis entirely.
The area around Shangani and the waterfront is the most social. It has the highest number of budget guesthouses and dorm-style places, plenty of cafés, and busy streets late into the evening, so walking back alone feels comfortable. It is also steps from Forodhani Gardens and the Old Fort.
The inner maze around Kiponda and Malindi is quieter and cheaper, and it is popular with travelers who want local neighbors and early-morning calls to prayer. … read more 👉
Stone Town is the clear choice, because the main screenings and gatherings sit within a short walk of its narrow lanes, and you can skip taxis entirely.
The area around Shangani and the waterfront is the most social. It has the highest number of budget guesthouses and dorm-style places, plenty of cafés, and busy streets late into the evening, so walking back alone feels comfortable. It is also steps from Forodhani Gardens and the Old Fort.
The inner maze around Kiponda and Malindi is quieter and cheaper, and it is popular with travelers who want local neighbors and early-morning calls to prayer. Lanes are poorly lit, so stick to main routes after dark and avoid wandering alone with a phone out.
Malindi, near the port, is handy if you arrive by ferry and want to drop your bag fast. It is noisier, but you will meet other backpackers heading to screenings.
If Stone Town is full, look north toward Nungwi or Kendwa for beach hostels with lively common areas. Allow about an hour by shared minibus (dala-dala) or longer by taxi, and check the last ride back, because late return options are limited.
Rooms near the festival fill early in July, so book ahead.
Best hostels in Tanzania


Best quality hotels in Tanzania

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

A realistic budget for Zanzibar International Film Festival is about US$53 to 90 per day, with most screenings free or low cost and accommodation taking the biggest bite.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 10Many open-air screenings are free or cost a few dollars. Special galas and some venues charge more.
AccommodationUS$15 to 25 (low season), US$25 to 45 (high season)July is busy in Stone Town. Dorms and simple guesthouse rooms rise in price, and booking early keeps costs down.
Local transportUS$2 to 10Stone Town is walkable. Short taxi rides cost around US$3 to 8, and shared minibuses to farther areas are cheaper.
Food & drinksUS$8 to 20Forodhani street food, such as Zanzibar pizza and skewers, is affordable. Restaurant meals cost more.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$3 to 10Water,
… read more 👉
A realistic budget for Zanzibar International Film Festival is about US$53 to 90 per day, with most screenings free or low cost and accommodation taking the biggest bite.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 10Many open-air screenings are free or cost a few dollars. Special galas and some venues charge more.
AccommodationUS$15 to 25 (low season), US$25 to 45 (high season)July is busy in Stone Town. Dorms and simple guesthouse rooms rise in price, and booking early keeps costs down.
Local transportUS$2 to 10Stone Town is walkable. Short taxi rides cost around US$3 to 8, and shared minibuses to farther areas are cheaper.
Food & drinksUS$8 to 20Forodhani street food, such as Zanzibar pizza and skewers, is affordable. Restaurant meals cost more.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$3 to 10Water, SIM data, tips and small souvenirs. Payment is usually in Tanzanian shillings, and small cash is best.
Total Daily BudgetUS$53 to 90Based on high-season accommodation and a mix of free and paid screenings.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Zanzibar International Film

The best festival food happens at Forodhani Gardens, where the night market sets up on the seafront and the grills start smoking as the screenings begin.
Look for Zanzibar pizza, a thin pancake-like parcel stuffed with minced meat, egg, cheese and vegetables, fried on a hot plate in front of you. Add grilled seafood skewers, octopus, tuna and prawns, plus cassava with chili sauce and sugarcane juice pressed with ginger and lime. Locals also sell urojo, a tangy mango-and-potato soup with crispy bites on top, which is worth hunting down for something truly Zanzibari.
For a sit-down meal, Swahili cafés in the lanes serve biryani, pilau and coconut-based curries at modest prices. Spiced coffee from street vendors comes in tiny cups, with a bit of ginger or cardamom.
A few quirks help. Carry cash … read more 👉
The best festival food happens at Forodhani Gardens, where the night market sets up on the seafront and the grills start smoking as the screenings begin.
Look for Zanzibar pizza, a thin pancake-like parcel stuffed with minced meat, egg, cheese and vegetables, fried on a hot plate in front of you. Add grilled seafood skewers, octopus, tuna and prawns, plus cassava with chili sauce and sugarcane juice pressed with ginger and lime. Locals also sell urojo, a tangy mango-and-potato soup with crispy bites on top, which is worth hunting down for something truly Zanzibari.
For a sit-down meal, Swahili cafés in the lanes serve biryani, pilau and coconut-based curries at modest prices. Spiced coffee from street vendors comes in tiny cups, with a bit of ginger or cardamom.
A few quirks help. Carry cash in small bills, since most stalls do not take cards. Agree on the price before the cook starts, and ask what each skewer costs. Portions are filling, so share a pizza and try several stalls. Pick busy stalls with fast turnover and food cooked fresh in front of you. Alcohol is limited, and drinking openly on the street is frowned upon, so keep your evening drinks to juices and tea or head to a licensed bar.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Zanzibar International Film Festival takes place in July, usually in the second half of the month, and runs for about a week. Screenings, concerts and workshops are held in Stone Town, mainly around the Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens. Exact dates change each year, so check the festival announcement a couple of months ahead before booking a ferry or flight.
Zanzibar International Film Festival is inexpensive to attend, since many screenings and outdoor events are free or cost roughly US$0 to 10. Your main costs are beds, at about US$25 to 45 a night in July, and food, at around US$8 to 20 a day. Budget about US$55 to 90 per day in total, including local transport and small extras.
For most screenings at Zanzibar International Film Festival, you do not need tickets in advance, especially at open-air venues like the Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens. Special galas and some indoor events may require paid entry, so check the program on arrival. The things to book early are your bed and your transport, because July rooms and ferries from Dar es Salaam can sell out weeks ahead.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Tanzanian festivals near Zanzibar International Film

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Zanzibar International Film Festival is best in the evenings, when the heat eases and the Old Fort screenings begin as the sea breeze picks up. I would plan slow, sunny mornings on the waterfront, then save your energy for the late shows and music. Bring a light layer and mosquito repellent for the open-air seats, and book a guesthouse inside Stone Town early.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Tanzania. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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