Film festivals aren’t just places to watch movies; they are meeting points for filmmakers, actors, producers, critics, students, and audiences. They are spaces where new voices are discovered, ideas are exchanged, and stories that might otherwise go unseen find a home.
In Africa, film festivals are an important part of the growing film culture. They bring together filmmakers and audiences to celebrate African stories while creating opportunities for collaboration, learning, and discovery.
Some film festivals have been around for decades and have become institutions in their countries, while others are creating new spaces for independent and emerging filmmakers. Together, they reflect the diversity of African cinema.
Here are African film festivals worth knowing:
Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) – Nigeria
AFRIFF was founded in 2010 by Nigerian entertainment executive Chioma Ude. The film festival, which is held annually in Lagos, Nigeria, is a major gathering for African and diaspora filmmakers. It brings together established industry figures and emerging talent for a week of screenings, conversations, workshops, and networking. The festival showcases feature films, documentaries, and short films while creating opportunities for filmmakers to connect with producers, distributors, and other industry professionals. The 2026 edition is scheduled for November 1 to November 7.
Festival Panafricain du Cinéma et de la Télévision de Ouagadougou (FESPACO) – Burkina Faso
Festival Panafricain du Cinéma et de la Télévision de Ouagadougou, which translates to the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou, was founded in 1969 by a group of African film enthusiasts. It became an institution through a government decree in 1972 and has since grown into one of Africa’s biggest film gatherings. Held biennially, FESPACO accepts films made by African filmmakers and chiefly produced in Africa. At the heart of the festival is the prestigious Étalon de Yennenga, one of the most coveted prizes in African cinema. The next edition of FESPACO is set to hold from March 20 to March 27, 2027.
Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) – South Africa
The festival, which was founded in 1979, is South Africa’s longest-running film festival and one of the country’s most significant annual film events. Presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, DIFF is an Academy Award-qualifying festival, as winners in categories like Best Documentary, Best South African Documentary, and Best Short Film are eligible for consideration at the Academy Awards. The festival brings a diverse selection of African and international films to audiences across Durban. Its program typically extends beyond the cinema screen. Workshops, seminars, panel discussions, and industry programs give filmmakers and audiences opportunities to engage with the ideas and issues surrounding contemporary cinema. The next edition will take place from 15 to 25 July 2027.
Journées Cinématographiques de Carthage (JCC) – Tunisia
Journées Cinématographiques de Carthage, known in English as the Carthage Film Festival, was founded in 1966 with a focus on African and Arab cinema. The film festival takes place across Tunis, bringing films and audiences together in one of North Africa’s most culturally significant cities. Its history is closely tied to the development of African and Arab cinema, making it an important meeting point between filmmakers from different parts of the continent and the wider Arab world. The 2026 edition of JCC will hold from December 12 to 19 in Tunis, Tunisia.
Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) – Tanzania
Also known as the Festival of the Dhow Countries, ZIFF was established in 1997 and has grown into one of East Africa’s most prominent cultural festivals. Held in Stone Town every year, the festival celebrates films, music, and arts from Africa and the countries connected by the Indian Ocean and dhow culture. This gives ZIFF a distinctive identity, bringing together creative traditions from East Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. The festival’s program extends beyond film screenings, creating a broader cultural experience for audiences. Its Golden Dhow awards recognize outstanding work, while its wider program provides opportunities for filmmakers and artists to connect. The next edition is scheduled for June 23 to June 27, 2027.
Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) – Ghana
Ghana’s Black Star International Film Festival was founded in 2015 by Juliet Asante to promote African cinema and connect independent filmmakers with global markets. The annual festival brings together filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences for screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. This year’s BSIFF was held last month at Golden Eagle Cinemas, Kumasi, Ghana, with the theme “Film & Global Culture: The New Wave of African Cinema.” The 2027 edition is scheduled to take place from September 23 to 26, 2027.
Luxor African Film Festival (LAFF) – Egypt
In the historic Egyptian city of Luxor, the Luxor African Film Festival has made African cinema its central mission. Created by screenwriter Sayed Fouad and director Azza El-Hosseiny to support African film productions and encourage partnerships between countries across the continent, the first edition of the annual festival took place in 2012. LAFF places emphasis on supporting emerging filmmakers and encouraging African productions, creating opportunities for filmmakers working with limited resources. The next edition will run from March 28 to April 3, 2027.
Rwanda Film Festival – Rwanda
The Rwanda Film Festival, also known as Hillywood, has played a big role in the development and visibility of Rwanda’s film industry. It was founded by filmmaker Eric Kabera through the Rwanda Cinema Centre to promote Rwanda’s growing local movie industry and bring cinema directly to rural communities. The festival is traditionally held annually every July. It takes cinema beyond conventional theaters and screen films in communities across the country. The idea of bringing films to Rwanda’s hills gave the festival its famous nickname and helped make cinema accessible to audiences outside the country’s urban centers.
Addis International Film Festival (AIFF) – Ethiopia
AIFF is an annual film festival established in 2007 with a mission to honor, promote, and nurture documentary cinema from Ethiopia and around the world while using film to encourage cross-cultural communication. Organized by Initiative Africa, the festival has showcased films addressing issues including human rights, gender equality, climate change, and other social challenges. For filmmakers interested in documentary films and audiences looking to engage with stories about contemporary social realities, Addis International Film Festival is one to watch. The next edition is in 2027 from May 12 to 16 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
All African Independent Film Festival (AAIFF) – Rwanda
Independent filmmaking is at the heart of the All African Independent Film Festival. Based in Kigali, AAIFF was created in 2024 to showcase the breadth of independent cinema from across Africa, bringing together filmmakers from the continent’s 54 countries and creating a platform for stories that might not always find space within mainstream film circuits. The festival celebrates innovation, creativity, and the careers of independent directors while highlighting the diversity of African experiences. Its programming also engages with issues including social justice, personal struggles, and the realities of everyday life across Africa. The third edition of AAIFF will be held from October 15 to October 17, 2026.
Joburg Film Festival (JFF) – South Africa
JFF is an annual film festival founded in 2016 by Tim Mangwedi to elebrate African and global cinema. The festival brings African and international films to audiences while creating opportunities for filmmakers, industry professionals, and aspiring creatives to connect. Its programming goes beyond screenings, with discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities forming part of the festival experience. The next edition of JFF will take place in March 2027 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) – Egypt
CIFF is one of Africa and the Arab world’s most prestigious film events. The festival, which is held annually in Egypt’s capital, Cairo, has been part of the global cinema calendar since 1976. CIFF brings together films and filmmakers from across the world while providing a platform for Egyptian, African, and Arab cinema. Over the years, the festival has welcomed filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals from around the world, connecting Egyptian and African cinema with a global audience. The 47th edition will take place from November 11 to November 20, 2026.
