Zanzibar has taken a bold step into the global creative economy with the launch of Stream East — a digital platform dedicated to distributing East African films and stories to worldwide audiences. Unveiled by the Film Producers Guild of Zanzibar (FPGZ) in partnership with the Eastern Africa Filmmakers Council (EAFMC), the initiative aims to position Zanzibar as a leading hub for African cinema and cultural innovation.
FPGZ President Salma Salim Adim described the platform as a turning point for African filmmakers who have long struggled with global visibility. Through Stream East, she said, Africa’s diversity — from Afrofuturism to local dramas — will now be accessible to international viewers, showing that “African films can compete on the world stage.”
The platform’s flagship feature, MIZA, reflects this vision, telling the emotional story of a woman’s resilience in the face of loss and social rejection. Adim noted that Stream East will not only promote such powerful narratives but also turn creativity into commerce, helping boost GDP, attract investors, and create sustainable jobs in the creative sector.
A companion initiative, A Life for Lives, is designed to empower young people by teaching filmmaking, performance, and entrepreneurship. By converting schools into creative hubs, it connects youth talent with digital opportunities — building a generation of storytellers who are also entrepreneurs.
Adim called for African governments to recognise film and digital media as strategic economic sectors, citing Nigeria’s Nollywood as proof of the industry’s potential. She stressed that strong copyright laws, transparent royalties, and regional collaboration are essential for ensuring artists benefit directly from their work.
With Stream East and A Life for Lives, Zanzibar is redefining African storytelling — transforming it from a cultural expression into a sustainable economic engine. As Adim put it, “This is more than a platform; it’s a movement to make African storytelling an engine of trade, pride, and prosperity.”
