Film Production & Photography Programme in Tanzania — Art in Tanzania
What is it? The Film Production & Photography Programme embeds international students and volunteers in active local television productions, international documentaries, and music video projects in Tanzania — contributing real skills across the full production pipeline and helping train the local team. It is run by Art in Tanzania (AIT), a community-development NGO founded in 1996.
Where? On set, on location, and in the edit suite around Dar es Salaam and across Tanzania.
How long? Flexible — the programme runs continuously year-round, with duration adjustable to your academic schedule and goals.
Working hours? 6–8 hours per day, Monday to Friday.
Who joins? Students and professionals in film production, photography, media studies, and related fields. AIT typically hosts 15–40 international students at a time, drawn from over 1,000 partner universities worldwide.
What roles and disciplines does the programme cover?
The programme works across the full production pipeline and welcomes applicants across a wide range of specialisations:
Creative & production
- Scriptwriting
- Directing
- Cinematography
- Production assistance and coordination
- Project management
Technical crew
- Lighting
- Sound recording and design
- Post-production editing
- Photography
On-set support
- Makeup and styling
- Other essential film crew roles
Digital & social media
- Social media content creation and management
- Digital marketing for film projects and programme visibility
- Advocacy content for AIT's channels, including a Facebook audience of over 50,000 followers
If your specialisation sits between these categories — or beyond them — get in touch. AIT works flexibly and values creative professionals from all corners of the industry.
What is the Tanzanian film landscape like?
Tanzania's film industry is young, ambitious, and growing fast. Local productions are reaching wider audiences, international documentary makers are increasingly drawn to East Africa, and demand for skilled crew is rising. Working here lets you be part of an industry at a formative moment, where your contribution carries genuine weight and the stories being told are urgent and underrepresented on the world stage.
Does the programme include training and knowledge transfer?
Yes. Beyond your own production work, training is core to the programme. Whether you are teaching lighting techniques, sharing editing workflows, or demonstrating social media production, you build capacity that outlasts your placement and strengthens the industry long term. You work within a multi-disciplinary production team of international and Tanzanian professionals at different career stages.
How does the placement work?
The programme runs year-round with flexible start dates and adjustable duration. Your placement is fully tailored to your discipline, experience level, and creative interests. Film production, photography, media studies, journalism, communications, and digital marketing are all excellent fits.
Who runs the programme, and since when?
Art in Tanzania (AIT) has placed approximately 250 participants annually in hands-on community programmes across Tanzania since 1996, and is involved in new film and media productions regularly. This is an active production placement, not a passive observation role — you are on set, behind the camera, in the edit suite, and on the ground.
What is life in Tanzania like during the placement?
If ever a placement made the location part of the creative opportunity, this is it. Tanzania's landscapes — Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, the Serengeti, the coast, the villages — are among the most visually compelling on earth, the culture is rich, and the light is extraordinary. Affordable, sustainable safaris and tours are available for you and visiting friends or family.
Can I get funding?
Yes. Erasmus+ funding may be available for this placement. Speak with your student or international office about grant options that could fully or partially fund the experience.
Frequently asked questions
What roles can I do in the Film Production & Photography Programme?
Roles across creative and production (scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, production coordination), technical crew (lighting, sound, editing, photography), on-set support (makeup and styling), and digital and social media.
What kinds of productions will I work on?
Active local television productions, international documentaries, and music video projects.
Who can join the Film Production & Photography Programme?
Students and professionals in film production, photography, media studies, journalism, communications, and digital marketing. AIT hosts 15–40 participants at a time from over 1,000 partner universities worldwide.
What are the working hours?
6–8 hours per day, Monday to Friday.
When can I start?
The programme runs continuously year-round, with flexible start dates and adjustable duration.
Is funding available?
Yes — Erasmus+ funding may fully or partially cover your placement. Ask your student office about grant options.
Ready to apply?
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