MAISHA is Film Lab was founded in 2004 as a way to train and empower East African filmmakers. Since then over 400 participants have produced over 30 short films.

For the ZIFF MAISHA Lab, 15 participants were selected from a pool of applicants based on their short screenplay ideas. The screenwriting lab participants will have networking opportunities with their fellow filmmakers and their community, as well as with their mentors, who are professional working writers and filmmakers from all over the world as the screenwriting labs will be held against the backdrop of the regional film festivals in each respective country.