In the fall of 2018, Paul Makonda, then Regional Commissioner of the coastal city Dar es Salaam, announced a witch-hunt on the city’s LGBT-population. The queer population went into hiding, fearing arrests, verbal and physical abuse and the safety of their loved ones. In Tanzania, sexual acts between men are punishable by law with 30 years to life in prison. The law is seldom enforced, but hate speech and harsh rhetoric towards sexual minorities have increased under the rule of former president John Magufuli. “Not in Tanzania” portrays ten queer individuals in the aftermath of Makonda’s statement, which drew great attention from the international community. Their stories illustrate the many difficulties sexual minorities still face in Africa – and how hope and love is always present, no matter how difficult the circumstances are.

Honourable mention, Norwegian short documentary in competition, Bergen International Film Festival

Check Out The Trailer: Not In Tanzania

Signe Rosenlund-Hauglid is a journalist and filmmaker from Viken county in Norway. She has previously made two short documentaries, and is currently developing her debut film with Stray Dog Productions in Oslo. Her films address topics dealing with feminism, LGBT-rights and political issues both in Norway and abroad.