FilmAid in Tanzania

OUR WORK HERE

  • 2001 - FilmAid works in Kibondo camps until their closure in 2008

  • Work focused at Kibondo refugee camps for Burundian refugees

  • 2021 - FilmAid partners on a social media influencer camp

  • Partners include UNHCR and the Tanzanian Ministry of Home Affairs

Tanzania has a long history as a country of asylum. The main refugee groups of concern are Burundian and Congolese, with more Burundians arriving every day into Nyagurusu, the closest refugee camp to the Burundi/Tanzania border. 

In 2001, FilmAid began its screenings and Filmmaker Training Program in the Kibondo refugee camps for Burundian refugees, managed by UNHCR and the Tanzanian Ministry of Home Affairs. FilmAid developed a substantial program within the camp, creating a widespread filmmaker training program and holding regular evening screenings. FilmAid's work continued in the camps until its closure in 2008.

In 2021, FilmAid partnered with Internews Tanzania to work with citizen journalists in creating short films for social media like TikTok, Instagram and FB. This is completed with skills and mobile kits for citizen journalists. In Tanzania, opportunities traditionally have centered on radio, so this is an exciting opportunity. Of the 80 applicants, we chose 6 young people to participate in the daily 3-month mentorship. Each journalist was given a small mobile media kit and learned about producing short videos for social media.