The Zanzibar International Film Festival is proud to announce the 16 films in competition for the Sembene Ousmane Film Prize in 2015. The selected film hail from 11 Countries: USA, Brazil, Senegal, Madagascar, Ghana, Cameroon, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia and Tanzania.

Ghana can boast two nominations within this elite group. They are; 'The Traveller' by Victoria Dogbe and 'Kwaku' by Anthony Nti.

"The competition has been designed to reward excellence in short film production and to encourage the production of new short films, including short documentaries," explains ZIFF Assistant Film Director International, Fabrizio Colombo.

"16 films have been nominated to vie for the 3 Prizes" he added, "each of the 3 winning films will be awarded 2,000 USD specifically earmarked to produce a new short film to be ready by ZIFF 2016."

Bernd Multhaup of GIZ, the co-sponsors of the prize explained that "this year the sponsors have decided to award three films to ensure that many more filmmakers are encouraged to make creative films through the Sembene Ousmane Prize. The short film genre is a powerful way to communicate serious issues without sacrificing production quality and aesthetic value."

The three winners will need to submit their scripts and a production within 4 months of the award and funds will then be released. The winning 3 films will be screened at ZIFF 2015 which opens on July 18, and the new films screened in ZIFF 2016. This on-going process will simultaneously acknowledge and reward filmmakers for their efforts, whilst contributing to the sustainability of the short-film format.

The 16 nominated films are:

Lesley: Victor Okoye Frank, USA / 15 min

O Canto da Iona: Thiago B. Mendonca, Brazil / 25 min

Maruna: Molly Kane, Senegal / 15 min

Aisaa's Story: Iquo B Essien, USA / 15 min

Madama Esther: Luck Razanajaona, Madagascar / 15 min

The Traveller: Victoria Dogbe, Ghana / 9 min

Damaru: Agbor Obed, Cameroon / 24 min

Houkak: Younes Youfsi, Morocco / 17 min

Kwaku: Anthony Nti, Ghana / 16 min

Samaki Mchangani: Amil Shivji, Tanzania, 30min

Kilimo 2: Neema & Warren Reed, Tanzania / 6 min

Liberte Emprisonnee: Sara Mikayel, Senegal /16min

Soko Sonko: Ekwa Msangi, Kenya / 22 min

Uthando: Tulanana Bohela, South Africa, 20min

Grandma Knows Best: Tamara Dawit, Ethiopia, 16min

Vitrin, Regis Talia, Cameroon, 15min