Amil Shivji

Amil Shivji
Born1990 (age 33–34)
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Citizenship Tanzania
EducationMaster of Fine Arts (MFA), York University, Canada
OccupationFilmmaker
Notable workTug of War (Vuta N'Kuvute) (2021)
T-Junction (2013)
FatherIssa Shivji
AwardsTanit d'or, Carthage Film Festival, 2022
Websitewww.kijiweniproductions.com

Amil Shivji (born 1990) is a Tanzanian filmmaker. His films generally tackle misrepresentations of Africa and its history, as well as the theme of neocolonialism.

Biography and career

Born in Dar es Salaam, Shivi's roots can be traced back to Zanzibar. Often visiting as a child, he frequently draws inspiration from the island. Before launching his film career, Shivji worked as a journalist and radio host.[1][2] He is the founder of Kijiweni Productions, a production company, and Kijiweni Cinema.[3]

Shivji launched his career with two short fiction films, Shoeshine (2013) and Samaki Mchangani (2014).[4] Both films participated in a number of international film festivals including the Rotterdam International Film Festival and the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in Burkina Faso.[5]

In 2015, he produced feature film Aisha, also screened internationally. The filmmaker's prize-winning feature directorial debut T-Junction (2017) opened the prestigious Zanzibar International Film Festival. In 2021, he released Vuta N’Kuvute (Tug of War), which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.[6][7]

Filmography

Short films

  • 2012: Who Killed Me
  • 2013: Shoeshine
  • 2014: Samaki Mchangani

Feature films

References

  1. ^ "Amil Shivji (T-Junction)". Atlanta Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  2. ^ "Amil Shivji | IFFR". iffr.com. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  3. ^ "Amil Shivji (T-Junction)". Atlanta Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  4. ^ "Films from Africa: Personen-Details". www.filme-aus-afrika.de. Archived from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  5. ^ "Tug of War". Doha Film Institute. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  6. ^ "Tug of War". TIFF. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  7. ^ Vourlias, Christopher (2021-09-12). "Tanzania's Amil Shivji on Love and Resistance in Toronto Film Festival Period Drama 'Tug of War'". Variety. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  8. ^ "Tanzanian Filmmaker Amil Shiviji is Making History with a Story of Love and Resistance". OkayAfrica. 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-11-21.